Outcome of neck dissection for node-positive melanoma.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the rates of regional recurrence for node-positive melanoma after neck dissection alone.


METHODS
Retrospective review from a single tertiary care institution.


METHODS
Data were obtained for all patients receiving neck dissection from 1990 to 1997 at Sunnybrook and Women's Health Sciences Center. Analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method.


RESULTS
Thirty-one patients underwent neck dissection for node-positive melanoma in the study period. The rate of regional recurrence was 31% at 5 years. The mean time to recurrence was 78 months.


CONCLUSIONS
Neck dissection alone may be appropriate for some patients, but those with more advanced neck disease are likely to benefit from adjuvant radiotherapy.
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Sunnybrook and Women's Health Sciences Center, Toronto, Ontario.
Irvin
I
Pathak
Ralph
R
Gilbert
John
J
Yoo
Malcolm
M
Hilton
D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008545:Melanoma / Q000601:surgery*; D037981:Neck Dissection; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome