Are there any new ways to assess prognosis in patients with melanoma?

Some recently reported experimental tests may prove helpful in the early detection of metastatic disease. One such test is a reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction test used to detect circulating melanoma cells in the peripheral blood. Two groups have found that this test correlates positively with stage of disease and may be helpful in identifying patients who will eventually develop metastasis. Another test being developed is a positron emission tomography using a glucose analog coupled to a positron emitter. This test also is capable of identifying clinically undetectable lymph node and visceral metastases. Both of these tests may allow earlier detection and thereby more successful treatment of metastatic disease.

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Fusi A, Collette S, Busse A, et al: Circulating melanoma cells and distant metastasis-free survival in stage III melanoma patients with or without adjuvant interferon treatment (EORTC 18991 side study), Eur J Cancer 45:3189–3197, 2009.