HomeRadiology: Imaging CancerVol. 5, No. 2 PreviousNext Images in CancerFree AccessAtypical and Typical Distant Sarcoid-like Reactions during Treatment of Metastatic MelanomaLacey J. McIntosh , Evan C. Ruppell, Maria BarileLacey J. McIntosh , Evan C. Ruppell, Maria BarileAuthor AffiliationsFrom the Division of Oncologic and Molecular Imaging (L.J.M., E.C.R.) and Division of Cardiothoracic Imaging (M.B.), UMass Chan Medical School/Memorial Health Care, 55 Lake Avenue North, Worcester, MA 01655.Address correspondence to L.J.M. (email: [email protected]).Lacey J. McIntosh Evan C. RuppellMaria BarilePublished Online:Mar 24 2023https://doi.org/10.1148/rycan.220177MoreSectionsPDF ToolsImage ViewerAdd to favoritesCiteTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked In Sarcoid-like reactions are reported in 4%–14% of patients with cancer and are likely driven by T-cell–mediated hypersensitivity reactions forming granulomas (1). They can occur with infection, treatment, or the presence of foreign bodies (2) and have been increasingly reported in the era of precision targeted and immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy (3,4), including the use of BRAF and MEK inhibitors (Figure) (5). The classic pattern mimics sarcoidosis and involves mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes, which may be enlarged and demonstrate increased fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake at FDG PET/CT; pulmonary nodules and infiltrates may or may not be present (1,2). The incidence of extrathoracic sarcoid-like reactions is unknown but rare (6), with case reports documenting reactions including the liver, spleen, skin, central nervous system, pancreas, bone, and eyes (6,7). Absence of findings at baseline and emergence after treatment initiation can be helpful to identify a sarcoid-like reaction, although it may be indistinguishable from disease and may require tissue sampling. Radiologists should recognize these patterns to avoid confusion with disease progression. If necessary, steroids are the mainstay of treatment; immunotherapy discontinuation may be required in severe cases.Sarcoid-like reactions in a 29-year-old woman with +BRAF V600 mutation metastatic melanoma. (A, B) Baseline fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/CT maximum intensity projection (MIP) and axial fusion images show FDG-avid left axillary mass (black and white arrows), found to be metastatic melanoma (no primary cutaneous lesion identified). (C, D) Follow-up FDG PET/CT MIP and axial fusion images 8 months after left axillary nodal dissection, while receiving adjuvant dabrafenib and trametinib, show that the left axillary mass has been excised; however, there is a new FDG-avid right axillary lymph node (dashed black and white arrows). Subsequent biopsy showed lymphoid tissue with noncaseating granulomatous inflammation, consistent with atypical presentation of a sarcoid-like reaction. (E, F) Follow-up FDG PET/CT MIP and axial fusion images 2 months later show FDG-avid mediastinal and bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy (short black and white arrows), in a classic pattern of sarcoid-like reaction, which was confirmed with endobronchial US-guided fine needle aspiration cytology.Download as PowerPointOpen in Image Viewer Disclosures of conflicts of interest: L.J.M. Consultant providing clinical trial reads (Bioclinica/Clario, WorldCare Clinical, Imaging Endpoints) and content consultation (Medality) but without conflicts of interest for this article. E.C.R. No relevant relationships. M.B. No relevant relationships.Keywords: Molecular Imaging–Cancer, PET/CTAuthors declared no funding for this work.
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