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False-Positive Results and Incidental Findings with Annual CT or PET/CT Surveillance in Asymptomatic Patients with Resected Stage III Melanoma

  • Melanoma
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Abstract

Objective

The aim of this study was to quantify false-positive and incidental findings from annual surveillance imaging in asymptomatic, American Joint Committee on Cancer stage III melanoma patients.

Methods

This was a cohort study of patients treated at Melanoma Institute Australia (2000–2015) with baseline computed tomography (CT) or positron emission tomography (PET)/CT imaging and at least two annual surveillance scans. False-positives were defined as findings suspicious for melanoma recurrence that were not melanoma, confirmed by histopathology, subsequent imaging, or clinical follow-up, while incidental findings were defined as non-melanoma-related findings requiring further action. Outcomes of incidental findings were classified as ‘benign’ if they resolved spontaneously or were not seriously harmful; ‘malignant’ if a second malignancy was identified; or ‘other’ if potentially harmful.

Results

Among 154 patients, 1022 scans were performed (154 baseline staging, 868 surveillance) during a median follow-up of 85 months (interquartile range 56–112); 57 patients (37%) developed a recurrence. For baseline and surveillance imaging, 124 false-positive results and incidental findings were identified in 81 patients (53%). The frequency of these findings was 5–14% per year, and an additional 181 tests, procedures, and referrals were initiated to investigate these findings. The diagnosis was benign in 109 findings of 124 findings (88%). Fifteen patients with a benign finding underwent an unnecessary invasive procedure. Surveillance imaging identified distant metastases in 20 patients (13%).

Conclusion

False-positive results and incidental findings occur in at least half of all patients undergoing annual surveillance imaging, and the additional healthcare use is substantial. These findings persist over time. Clinicians need to be aware of these risks and discuss them with patients, alongside the expected benefits of surveillance imaging.

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Acknowledgment

The authors sincerely thank Hazel Burke and Maria Gonzales at MIA for their help with data acquisition.

Funding

This work was supported by Cancer Australia’s Priority-driven Collaborative Cancer Research Scheme (Project Number 1129568).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia

    Amanda A. G. Nijhuis MD, Alexander M. Menzies PhD, Jay Allen, Robyn P. M. Saw MD, Omgo E. Nieweg PhD, John F. Thompson MD & Rachael L. Morton PhD

  2. University of Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    Amanda A. G. Nijhuis MD

  3. NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre, University of Sydney, Level 6, Medical Foundation Building, 92-94 Parramatta Road, Camperdown, NSW, 2050, Australia

    Mbathio Dieng PhD, Nikita Khanna MEcon, Sally J. Lord MBBS & Rachael L. Morton PhD

  4. Poche Centre, Clinical Trials, Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia

    Jo Dalton BN

  5. Department of Medical Oncology, Royal North Shore and Mater Hospitals, Sydney, NSW, Australia

    Alexander M. Menzies PhD

  6. Biostatistics Unit, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand

    Robin M. Turner PhD

  7. Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia

    Robyn P. M. Saw MD, Omgo E. Nieweg PhD & John F. Thompson MD

  8. Department of Melanoma and Surgical Oncology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia

    Robyn P. M. Saw MD, Omgo E. Nieweg PhD & John F. Thompson MD

Authors
  1. Amanda A. G. Nijhuis MD
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  2. Mbathio Dieng PhD
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  9. Robyn P. M. Saw MD
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  10. Omgo E. Nieweg PhD
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Rachael L. Morton PhD.

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Disclosure

Alexander M. Menzies has been on an advisory board for Bristol Meyers Squibb, Merck Sharp Dome, Novartis, and Pierre-Fabre, and has received speaking honoraria from Roche. Robyn P.M. Saw has been on an advisory board for Bristol Meyers Squibb, Merck Sharp Dome, Novartis, and Amgen, and has received a speaking honorarium from Bristol Meyers Squibb. John F. Thompson has been on an advisory board for and received honoraria and travel support from Bristol Meyers Squibb, Merck Sharp Dome, Provectus Inc., and GlaxoSmithKline. Amanda A.G. Nijhuis, Mbathio Dieng, Nikita Khanna, Sally J. Lord, Jo Dalton, Robin M. Turner, Jay Allen, Omgo E. Nieweg, and Rachael L. Morton have no conflicts of interest to declare.

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Nijhuis, A.A.G., Dieng, M., Khanna, N. et al. False-Positive Results and Incidental Findings with Annual CT or PET/CT Surveillance in Asymptomatic Patients with Resected Stage III Melanoma. Ann Surg Oncol 26, 1860–1868 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1245/s10434-019-07311-0

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