High incidence of in-transit metastases after sentinel node biopsy in patients with melanoma.
BACKGROUND
The occurrence of in-transit metastases in patients with a tumour-positive sentinel node varies greatly between centres and it has been suggested that the incidence is high in this patient group.


METHODS
The incidence of in-transit metastases in 61 patients who had lymph node dissection because of a tumour-positive sentinel node was compared with that in 60 patients who had palpable nodal metastases dissected.


RESULTS
The incidence of in-transit metastases was 23 per cent in patients with a positive sentinel node and 8 per cent in those with palpable nodes (P = 0.027).


CONCLUSIONS
Sentinel node biopsy was associated with a higher risk of in-transit metastases. This finding does not support the routine use of sentinel node biopsy in the management of melanoma.
Estourgie
S H
SH
Department of Surgery, Netherlands Cancer Institute/Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, Plesmanlaan 121, 1066 CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Nieweg
O E
OE
Kroon
B B R
BB
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000556:secondary*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009366:Neoplasm Seeding; D011446:Prospective Studies; D021701:Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms