[Diagnostic value of determining spermidine in the urine of patients with melanoblastoma of the skin]

Abstract

To estimate the diagnostic value of determination of one of polyamines (spermidine) in the urine the authors examined 58 patients with skin melanoblastomas of different localization and 10 healthy persons. It was found that in 16 of 25 patients having only primary tumor, in all 9 patients having primary tumor with metastases in regional lymph nodes, and also in 14 of 20 patients, who after previous therapy developed recurrence or metastases in regional lymph nodes, spermidine excretion exceeded its normal level. In three patients, subjected previously to radical treatment and considered as being clinically recovered, normal spermidine level was excreted. The data obtained enabled the authors to use this test as an adjuvant criterion in examination and treatment of such patients.