Lymphoscintigraphy as a guide to treatment in malignant melanoma

Journal Article · Wed Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1989 · Ann. Plast. Surg.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1097/00000637-198902000-00011· OSTI ID:5931603

Woods, J E; Freedman, A M; Brown, M L

Regional node dissection is practiced as a measure of prophylaxis in patients with stage I and II malignant melanoma. Although the drainage pattern of the extremities is obvious, in the head and neck and trunk it may be ambiguous. We have used lymphoscintigraphy to assist in delineating the lymphatic drainage in 22 patients with primary malignant melanoma. Fourteen patients had melanoma in the head and neck region, and eight had melanoma in the trunk region. Based on Clark's classification there were ten level III melanomas, eight level IV melanomas, and two level V melanomas; the levels of the remaining two melanomas were unspecified. Seven melanomas were between 0.76 and 1.5-mm thick, eleven were between 1.51 and 4.0-mm thick, and two were over 4.0-mm thick (the remaining two were unspecified). Regional nodes were clinically negative in 18 patients. The scan distribution was unexpected in 13 patients (59%), and it influenced the surgical procedure in 11 patients (50%). No patient incurred an adverse effect from the scan. We conclude that lymphoscintigraphy may be of value in guiding prophylactic lymph node dissection in melanoma patients.

• Research Organization: Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5931603
• Journal Information: Ann. Plast. Surg.; (United States), Journal Name: Ann. Plast. Surg.; (United States) Vol. 22:2; ISSN APCSD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550600 -- Medicine
550601* -- Medicine-- Unsealed Radionuclides in Diagnostics
62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ANTIMONY
BODY
BODY AREAS
CHEST
COLLOIDS
COUNTING TECHNIQUES
DIAGNOSIS
DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES
DISEASES
DISPERSIONS
ELEMENTS
HEAD
LYMPH NODES
LYMPHATIC SYSTEM
MEDICINE
MELANOMAS
METALS
NECK
NEOPLASMS
PATIENTS
RADIOISOTOPE SCANNING
SCINTISCANNING
SURGERY