Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 20, 2026

Using Micro-computed Tomography for the Assessment of Tumor Development and Follow-up of Response to Treatment in a Mouse Model of Lung Cancer
Published on: May 20, 2016
Is there an indication for routine chest X-ray in initial staging of melanoma?
Lenka Vermeeren1, Fred W van der Ent, Karel W Hulsewé
1Department of Surgery, Maaslandhospital Sittard, Dr. H.van der Hoffplein 1, 6162 BG Sittard-Geleen, The Netherlands. l.vermeeren@nki.nl
Background:
Our aim was to evaluate therapeutic consequences of preoperative staging with Chest X-ray (CXR) in patients with a primary melanoma planned for sentinel node biopsy (SNB).
Methods:
From a prospective database, 248 medical records of patients treated for primary melanoma were extracted. CXRs were made prior to SNB, and examined by radiologists. Results were classified as follows: no metastasis, inconclusive, or suspect for metastasis. Furthermore, changes in planned treatment were recorded.
Results:
CXR was performed in 227 (92%) cases. In 95% of these patients, the CXR showed no metastasis. In 5%, the CXR was inconclusive; all of these CXR results appeared to be false-positive after complementary radiodiagnostic imaging and/or follow-up. All patients received a SNB.
Conclusion:
Preoperative CXR did not identify pulmonary metastasis and did not change planned treatment strategies. We suggest that CXR has no added value in the routine workup of patients with a primary melanoma.
Related Concept Videos
Radiological Investigation I: X-ray and CT
Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System III: X-Ray
Definition and Purpose
An X-ray, or radiograph, is a non-invasive method that uses ionizing radiation to take images of internal structures. It is mainly used in cardiac imaging to examine the heart, lungs, and major blood vessels, aiming to identify abnormalities in the heart's size, shape, and position, such as heart failure, congenital defects, and vascular...
Skin Cancer
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): BCC is the most common type of skin cancer, accounting for about 80% of cases. It typically develops in...
Radiological Investigation III: Pulmonary Angiogram and PET Scan
Pulmonary Angiogram
A Pulmonary Angiogram is an invasive procedure involving injecting a contrast medium through a catheter threaded into the pulmonary artery or the right side of the heart to visualize the pulmonary vasculature. Computed Tomography (CT) scans have mainly replaced this...
Pneumothorax-II
Clinical Manifestations:
X-ray Imaging
