PET-BT incelenmesi yapi{dotless}lan melanom hastalari{dotless}ni{dotless}n retrospektif analizi

Background and Design: Pet positivity was found in 21 (37.5%) the incidence of melanoma is increasing significantly in Turkey and in the whole world. Thus, Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography (PET-CT), which is being reimbursed by the government for the documentation of metastases of clinically suspicious patients with stages 1 b and higher, is becoming widely used. This study aims to analyze, the histopathological features of the tumors and the clinical and demographic data on melanoma patients who had undergone PET-CT examination for the screening of metastases. Materials and Methods: We collected data on 57 melanoma patients who had undergone PET-CT evaluation in the Nuclear Medicine Department between 2004 and 2011. On the basis of PET-CT positivity, we retrospectively analyzed SUV (Standard uptake value), demographic data, Breslow thickness, primary tumor location, presence of histopathologically documented ulceration, perineural, vascular and lymphatic invasion, and metastases detected by other screening methods as well as the proposed treatment modalities. Results: PET-CT positivity was found in 22 (39%) patients. The mean Breslow thickness was 5.12±6.29mm., 1 patient (%7) with ≤1mm, 5 (36%) with 2-4mm and 8 patients (57%) with >4mm of Breslow thickness had distant metastases. Statistically significant correlation was found between Breslow thickness and positive PET-CT findings. The distribution of the primary tumor site was 35.3%left-sided, 25.5%right-sided and 39.2%on the midline. All patients with scalp involvement had distant metastases. There was no statistically significant correlation of PET-CT positivity with histopathologically proven ulceration and perineural, vascular and lymphatic invasion. Thirty-one percent positive correlation was found between Breslow thickness and SUV. Forty-five percent of PET-CT positive patients had metastases documented with other screening methods as well. All but 2 patients with distant metastases had undergone wide tumor resection and adjuvant chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Conclusion: PET-CT complementing conventional imaging methods gains much importance in the treatment planning for some selected high-risk melanoma patients.