Positive deep nodes in the groin and survival in malignant melanoma.
A review of 48 consecutive patients with positive deep nodes in the groin and positive inguinal nodes from malignant melanoma was carried out. The deep nodes were enlarged (>2 cm) in 60% of the patients. The estimated 5-year survival rate following dissection of the deep nodes was 34%, 31% for those with palpable nodes (n=40) and 50% for those with non-palpable (n=8) inguinal nodes (P=0.13). The overall 10-year survival rate was 25%. Involvement of the deep (iliac or obturator) nodes in malignant melanoma does not indicate systemic dissemination for all patients, as an appreciable percentage attains long-term survival after a thorough dissection of these nodes.
Karakousis
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CP
Division of Surgical Oncology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, New York 14209, USA.
Driscoll
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DL
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006119:Groin; D006801:Humans; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000401:mortality* / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors