title: Cost analysis of sentinel lymph node biopsy as an alternative to elective lymph node dissection in patients with malignant melanoma.
abstract: In the current era of managed care and cost containment, physicians and administrators are placed in the predicament of increasing quality of care while decreasing costs. The purpose of this article is to offer a cost analysis, while also demonstrating what patients, providers, payers, employers, and industry may stand to gain from establishing sentinel lymph node biopsy as a standard care in certain groups of patients.
authors.affiliation: University of South Florida, Tampa, USA.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brobeil
authors.forename: C W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Cruse
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Messina
authors.forename: L F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Glass
authors.forename: F F
authors.initials: FF
authors.lastname: Haddad
authors.forename: C G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Berman
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Marshburn
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Reintgen
mesh_terms: D001706:Biopsy / Q000191:economics*; D017046:Cost Savings; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology*; D008545:Melanoma / Q000191:economics* / Q000473:pathology; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*