Radionuclide scans not indicated for clinical stage I melanoma

One hundred and sixty-two scans of the liver and 160 scans of the brain were performed upon 230 patients with clinical Stage I melanoma. No patient was found to have a true-positive scan. However, there were two false-positive scans of the liver and two false-positive scans of the brain. One craniotomy, two arteriograms and numerous follow-up scans were done to confirm that these scans were false-positive. The cost of the 322 screening scans was $23,964, and the expense of follow-up evaluation was considerably greater. The authors have discontinued the use of scans of the liver and brain in the evaluation of asymptomatic patients with Stage I melanoma.