Conventional and three-dimensional photography as a tool to map distribution patterns of in-transit melanoma metastases on the lower extremity

Müller K, Berking C, Voskens C, Heppt M, Heinzerling L, Koch E, Kramer R, Merkel S, Schuler-Thurner B, Schellerer V, Steeb T, Wessely A, Erdmann M (2023)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2023

Journal

Book Volume: 10

Article Number: 1089013

DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1089013

Abstract

Background: In melanoma, in-transit metastases characteristically occur at the lower extremity along lymphatic vessels. Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate conventional or three-dimensional photography as a tool to analyze in-transit metastasis pattern of melanoma of the lower extremity. In addition, we assessed risk factors for the development of in-transit metastases in cutaneous melanoma. Methods: In this retrospective, monocentric study first we compared the clinical data of all evaluable patients with in-transit metastases of melanoma on the lower extremity (n = 94) with melanoma patients without recurrence of disease (n = 288). In addition, based on conventional (n = 24) and three-dimensional photography (n = 22), we defined the specific distribution patterns of the in-transit metastases on the lower extremity. Results: Using a multivariate analysis we identified nodular melanoma, tumor thickness, and ulceration as independent risk factors to develop in-transit metastases ITM (n = 94). In patients with melanoma on the lower leg (n = 31), in-transit metastases preferentially developed along anatomically predefined lymphatic pathways. In contrast when analyzing in-transit metastases of melanoma on the foot (n = 15) no clear pattern could be visualized. In addition, no difference in distance between in-transit metastases and primary melanoma on the foot compared to the lower leg was observed using three-dimensional photography (n = 22). Conclusion: A risk-adapted follow-up of melanoma patients to detect in-transit metastases can be applied by knowledge of the specific lymphatic drainage of the lower extremity. Our current analysis suggests a more complex lymphatic drainage of the foot.

Authors with CRIS profile

Involved external institutions

Universitätsmedizin Greifswald / Universitätsklinikum Greifswald Germany (DE) Klinikum der Universität München Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Müller, K., Berking, C., Voskens, C., Heppt, M., Heinzerling, L., Koch, E.,... Erdmann, M. (2023). Conventional and three-dimensional photography as a tool to map distribution patterns of in-transit melanoma metastases on the lower extremity. Frontiers in Medicine, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2023.1089013

MLA:

Müller, Kilian, et al. "Conventional and three-dimensional photography as a tool to map distribution patterns of in-transit melanoma metastases on the lower extremity." Frontiers in Medicine 10 (2023).

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