Current role of immunoscintigraphy in malignant melanoma follow-up. A study of 114 patients

Although its role and importance is debated, Immunoscintigraphy (IS) remain s a popular technique in Malignant Melanoma (MM) follow-up for postoperativ e assessment. Between April 1990 and December 1996, 287 consecutive patients underwent 65 0 IS examinations at our Department. Only data on 114 patients, operated up to December 1993, with a follow-up of at least 7 years are given here. IS results were compared to physical examination, to other imaging modaliti es and, where available, to histology. IS specificity and sensivity, concer ning detection of melanoma metastases in lymph nodes, skin, brain, lung, vi sceral sites and bone, ranged from 37.5% and 22% to 100%. Our results indicate a high diagnostic accuracy of IS only for lymph node e xamination, but not for other possible locations of melanoma metastases. In our experience IS cannot be recommended for staging of melanoma patients, and should only be used in association with other imaging modalities.