Chest, abdominal, and/or pelvic CT is recommended by the NCCN and the European Dermatology Forum (EDF) in stage IV melanoma workup, with or without PET-CT because patients with melanoma have a high incidence of brain metastases. Brain MRI is recommended even if patients show minimal symptoms that are suggestive of central nervous system involvement.
Although elevated lactate dehydrogenase is a predictor of poor outcomes in melanoma, it is not a sensitive marker for detecting metastatic disease. Still, this measure does carry prognostic value and should be obtained at the diagnosis of stage IV disease.
Genetic analyses are appropriate for patients who are being considered for treatment with targeted therapy or if mutation status is relevant to eligibility for participation in a clinical trial.
Other blood work is dependent on clinician discretion.
Learn more about the workup for metastatic melanoma.
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Cite this: Adil Daud. Fast Five Quiz: Metastatic Melanoma - Medscape - Mar 15, 2023.
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