Surgery and sentinel lymph node biopsy.
In patients with melanoma, surgery is pivotal not only for the primary tumor but also for regional and often distant metastases. The minimally invasive technique of sentinel node (SN) biopsy has become standard for detection of occult regional node metastasis in patients with intermediate-thickness primary melanoma; in these patients it has a central role in determining prognosis and a significant impact on survival when biopsy results are positive. Its role in thin melanoma remains under evaluation. The regional tumor-draining SN also is a useful model for studies of melanoma-induced immunosuppression. Although completion lymphadenectomy remains the standard of care for patients with SN metastasis, results of ongoing phase III trials will indicate whether SN biopsy without further lymph node surgery is adequate therapy for certain patients with minimal regional node disease.
Faries
Mark B
MB
Division of Surgical Oncology and the Roy E. Coats Research Laboratories, John Wayne Cancer Institute at Saint John's Health Center, Santa Monica, CA 90404, USA. fariesm@jwci.org
Morton
Donald L
DL
D006801:Humans; D008197:Lymph Node Excision / Q000379:methods; D008545:Melanoma / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; D018579:Patient Selection; D012106:Research; D021701:Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy / Q000379:methods*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*