Resumen

SIERRALTA, P et al. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography in patients with malignant melanoma . Rev Chil Cir [online]. 2006, vol.58, n.1, pp.4-7. ISSN 0718-4026.  http://dx.doi.org/10.4067/S0718-40262006000100003.

Background: The usefulness of positron emission tomography (PET) with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) for the staging and follow up of malignant melanoma, is well established. Aim: To assess the results of PET FDG in patients with malignant melanoma. Patients and Methods: Thirty three patients with malignant melanoma (aged 49 ± 14 years, 17 males), referred for staging and restaging, were studied. The tomography was performed using a Siemens Ecat Exat high resolution equipment. The dose of FDG was 13 ± 3 mCi and the blood glucose levels prior to injection were 96 ± 16 mg/dl. Whole body images, including the head and legs were acquired. The report was based on the visual analysis and standardized uptake value (SUV). Results: Nine patients were referred for staging and 24 for restaging. The location of the primary tumor was known in 29 cases and in four, the disease was diagnosed due to the presence of lymph node metastases. The tumor was located in the head and neck in six patients (including two lymph node metastases), in the choroid in five, in the trunk in five, in the superior limbs in five, in the inferior limbs in 11 and in the rectal mucosa in one. In 13 patients, PET was positive for the presence of hypermetabolic tumor activity. In seven, the location was near the primary tumor and in six, it was distant. In seven patients the presence of tumor was confirmed by surgery and in four, there was concordance between the anatomical imaging and clinical outcome. Two false positive images were detected, one hematoma and one due to the presence of lymph node inflammation. In 16 cases, PET was negative and in four it was not conclusive, all these patients do not have evidence of tumor in the clinical follow up. The primary location of the tumor was not identified in patients referred for lymph node metastases. Conclusions: FDG PET is useful for the staging and re staging of patients with malignant melanoma

Palabras clave : Malignant melanoma; positron emission tomography; cancer staging .