Use of [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography in monitoring response of recurrent neurotropic desmoplastic melanoma to radiotherapy

A 35-year-old man originally sought treatment in 1985 for an ulcerating lesion on the lower lip. When the lesion was resected, histology showed an amelanotic neurotropic variant of desmoplastic melanoma invading deep into the muscle of the lip around small nerves and blood vessels; staining was positive for S-100 protein. Repeat excisions were performed twice during the next 2 months, before histologically complete removal was attained.