Malignant Melanoma. (4th December 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ortega Candil, Aída; Rodríguez Rey, Cristina; Carreras Delgado, José Luis
• Other Names: Chao S.-C. Academic Editor.; Feinmesser M. Academic Editor.; Tuzun Y. Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: ISRN dermatology. Volume 2012(2012)
• Publication Date: 2012-12-04
• Subjects: Dermatology -- Periodicals; Skin Diseases; Dermatology; Dermatology; Periodicals; 616.5
• DOI: 10.5402/2012/308279
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2090-4592

Abstract

Abstract : Nuclear medicine plays an essential role in the correct staging of patients suffering from melanoma. Both sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) and positron emission tomography (PET) represent its main diagnostic tools. SLNB is the choice procedure for lymphatic regional staging of these patients, including the result of this technique in the 2002 American Joint Cancer Committee melanoma staging. SLNB sensitivity is superior than PET/CT for the detection of lymphatic micrometastases in early stages of the disease. PET/CT is mainly used in confirming clinical metastases suspected, detection of recurrences, and recurrence restaging. PET/CT has also shown superiority against conventional diagnostic methods in the detection of distant metastases, being able to detect illness even six months earlier than those methods.