The role of FDG-PET-CT is limited in initial staging of nodal metastasis for thin cutaneous melanoma.
Publication/Presentation Date
4-1-2021
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Positron emission tomography computed tomography (PET-CT) is often used to stage nodal metastases in thin cutaneous melanoma, with limited evidence.
METHODS: A retrospective review of patients with cutaneous malignant melanoma treated at our institution was performed from 2005 to 2015, identifying those who received a PET-CT prior to lymphadenectomy. Biopsy features, lymph node status, and PET-CT results were collected. We calculated the overall sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, likelihood ratios, and positive predictive value of PET-CT in identifying nodal metastases. Results were stratified by initial biopsy tumor depth.
RESULTS: We identified 367 cases; 95 obtained a PET-CT prior to lymphadenectomy. Overall, sensitivity and specificity of PET-CT was 34.6% and 95.4%, respectively. The positive likelihood ratio and negative likelihood ratio were 7.62 and 0.68, respectively. The accuracy was 78.2%. The positive predictive value for T3 and T4 melanomas were 100% and 81.4%, respectively. For thin melanomas, specificity and accuracy was 88.2% and 88.2%, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS: PET-CT has low specificity and its use alone is not recommended for initial staging of nodal metastases in thin cutaneous malignant melanoma.
Volume
221
Issue
4
First Page
737
Last Page
740
ISSN
1879-1883
Published In/Presented At
Cheng, D., McNicoll, C. F., Kirgan, D., Jones, M. S., Rivera, M. R., Doyle, G. M., De Guzman, M. D., Baynosa, J., & St Hill, C. R. (2021). The role of FDG-PET-CT is limited in initial staging of nodal metastasis for thin cutaneous melanoma. American journal of surgery, 221(4), 737–740. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjsurg.2020.03.031
Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences
PubMedID
32354604
Department(s)
Fellows and Residents
Document Type
Article