BACKGROUND: Prompt and accurate diagnosis of melanoma metastatic to the lymph nodes is important with respect to prognosis and treatment. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the utility and diagnostic reliability of fine needle aspiration (FNA) of enlarged nodules in lymph node basins in patients with melanoma. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 46 patients with melanoma who underwent a total of 56 FNAs of palpable nodules in lymph node basins. RESULTS: Of the 56 FNAs, 24 showed melanoma, 26 did not demonstrate melanoma, five were inadequate, and one gave inconclusive but suspect results. Findings were confirmed by open biopsy (n = 35) or clinical follow-up (n = 21). Fifty of 56 FNAs (89%) yielded a definitive diagnosis (sensitivity/specificity = 100% in these 50). CONCLUSION: FNA biopsy of enlarged palpable nodules in nodal basins in patients with melanoma is accurate, rapid, and cost-efficient. An algorithm for management of patients with melanoma who have palpable nodes is provided.
BACKGROUND: Prompt and accurate diagnosis of melanoma metastatic to the lymph nodes is important with respect to prognosis and treatment. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the utility and diagnostic reliability of fine needle aspiration (FNA) of enlarged nodules in lymph node basins in patients with melanoma. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 46 patients with melanoma who underwent a total of 56 FNAs of palpable nodules in lymph node basins. RESULTS: Of the 56 FNAs, 24 showed melanoma, 26 did not demonstrate melanoma, five were inadequate, and one gave inconclusive but suspect results. Findings were confirmed by open biopsy (n = 35) or clinical follow-up (n = 21). Fifty of 56 FNAs (89%) yielded a definitive diagnosis (sensitivity/specificity = 100% in these 50). CONCLUSION: FNA biopsy of enlarged palpable nodules in nodal basins in patients with melanoma is accurate, rapid, and cost-efficient. An algorithm for management of patients with melanoma who have palpable nodes is provided.
Authors: Andrea Ronchi; Marco Montella; Federica Zito Marino; Giuseppe Argenziano; Elvira Moscarella; Gabriella Brancaccio; Giuseppe Ferraro; Giovanni Francesco Nicoletti; Teresa Troiani; Renato Franco; Immacolata Cozzolino Journal: Cancer Cytopathol Date: 2021-07-26 Impact factor: 4.264
Authors: Anna Doubrovsky; Richard A Scolyer; Rajmohan Murali; Paul R McKenzie; Geoffrey F Watson; C Soon Lee; Duncan J McLeod; William H McCarthy; Roger F Uren; Jonathan R Stretch; Robyn P Saw; John F Thompson Journal: Ann Surg Oncol Date: 2007-11-08 Impact factor: 5.344
Authors: Francesco Maria Solivetti; Fulvia Elia; Maria Giulia Santaguida; Antonino Guerrisi; Paolo Visca; Maria Cecilia Cercato; Aldo Di Carlo Journal: Radiol Oncol Date: 2014-01-22 Impact factor: 2.991