Timing and necessity of staging imaging in clinical stage II cutaneous melanoma: Cost-effectiveness and clinical decision analysis

BACKGROUND

Preoperative imaging in clinical stage II melanoma is not indicated per National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines but remains common in clinical practice.

METHODS

Patients presenting with cutaneous clinical stage II melanoma from 2007 to 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. A clinical decision analysis with cost data was designed to understand ideal practice patterns in managing stage II melanoma, with pre-versus selective post-operative imaging as the initial decision node.

RESULTS

There were 277 subjects included, and 143 underwent preoperative imaging (49.5%). This changed management (i.e. no surgery) in one patient (0.4%). Overall, 16 patients had additional findings on imaging (5.8%). Upfront surgery with selective postoperative imaging was a more cost-effective strategy than routine performance of preoperative imaging, with savings of $1677 per patient.

CONCLUSION

Preoperative imaging is a low yield, costly approach for patients with clinical stage II melanoma with minimal impact on the decision to proceed with surgical management.