[Sentinel lymph node in melanoma].
The procedure of sentinel node biopsy (SNB) has emerged as an important advance especially with respect to staging of malignant melanoma. Elective (prophylactic) lymph node dissection that had been practiced in primary melanoma with a suspected increased risk of (clinically occult) lymphatic metastasis has been replaced by SNB. Patients with proven metastatic involvement of the sentinel node (12-25%) can be specifically selected for regional lymph node dissection. Metastatic involvement of the sentinel node (SN) is a significant independent prognostic factor. The value of detecting metastasis by highly sensitive diagnostic tools such as RT-PCR is just as uncertain as is the therapeutic benefit of operative or conservative therapies in sentinel node-positive patients with respect to improving prognosis and is currently under study.
Klinik und Poliklinik der Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen. thomas.meyer@chir.imed.uni-erlangen.de
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Meyer
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Möhrle
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Garbe
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Hohenberger
D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004396:Coloring Agents; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D008545:Melanoma / Q000473:pathology*; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011379:Prognosis; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012307:Risk Factors; D021701:Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy / Q000379:methods
D004396:Coloring Agents