What is the definition or description of: pet-ct melanoma diagnosis?

Staging examination: Pet-ct is used in the staging of biopsy proven malignancy, or in suspected malignancy where biopsy may be dangerous. Most melanomas are diagnosed by discovery of a cutaneous lesion. Pet-ct is used to determine the extent of regional disease, the presence or absence of lymph node involvement, and the presence or absence of metastases (tumors in distant organs).

Imaging test: This test is performed by the nuclear medicine department. You are giving an infusion of glucose that has a radio-tracer attached to it. This glucose is taken up by cells in the body. Cells that are multiplying faster (i.e. Cancer cells) will take up more of this special glucose. Then pictures are taken of your body that can detect the special glucose in your body.

Metastases: PET CT is often utilized to identify metastases from melanoma. Utilizes isotope F18 FDG for glucose metabolism of malignant lesions to identify them. Most malignant neoplasms have increased metabolic activity. CT portion compares anatomic lesion with area of increased uptake shown by PET.