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Updated: Jul 19, 2026
A Robust Discovery Platform for the Identification of Novel Mediators of Melanoma Metastasis
Published on: March 8, 2022
Detection of melanoma relapse: first comparative analysis on imaging techniques versus S100 protein
Mirjam Beyeler1, Severa Waldispuhl, Klaus Strobel
1Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Background:
Early detection of melanoma recurrence is essential for the patient's prognosis. The serum S100 level may be a useful tool to detect relapse early.
Objective:
To compare the efficacy of imaging techniques and serum S100 in the early detection of melanoma progression. This is the first report of a comparison of a serum marker with an imaging tool in the follow-up of melanoma patients.
Methods:
From 1992 to 2003, we screened 192 patients suffering from melanoma recurrence after a disease-free interval. Of those, 127 patients were identified whose S100 levels had been assessed parallel to imaging procedures.
Results:
Serum S100 was elevated in 37% of patients at the time of relapse. In stage III, 32% of the patients had elevated S100 levels whereas in case of progression to stage IV, 48% of the patients presented with increased S100. In 5.5% of patients, S100 was the first indicator of disease progression. Imaging procedures lead to detection of melanoma recurrence in 26.8%.
Conclusion:
A rising level of serum S100 is a specific and sensitive marker of melanoma progression.
