Sentinel lymph node biopsy.
The introduction of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) has been an important development in the management of malignant melanoma. Lymph nodes have long been known to play a key role in melanoma metastasis. The importance of nodal staging accounted for the previous surgical practice of elective lymph node dissection (ELND) even with its controversial impact on final outcomes and associated morbidity. Although this morbidity has been reduced with the ability to identify the SLN, numerous questions have subsequently surfaced with respect to this procedure's utility and therapeutic efficacy. This chapter will focus on the indications for SLNB, as well as the current controversies surrounding this procedure.
Lee
Ken K
KK
Department of Dermatology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA. leeken@ohsu.edu
Vetto
John T
JT
Mehrany
Khosrow
K
Swanson
Neil A
NA
D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008545:Melanoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging / Q000379:methods*; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D021701:Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*