Sentinel node biopsy in patients with cutaneous melanoma of the head and neck: recurrence and survival study.
BACKGROUND
Controversy remains regarding the benefits of sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy for predicting survival in cutaneous melanoma of the head and neck (CMHN).


METHODS
We analyzed the factors associated with the recurrence and survival of CMHN patients treated in our institution.


RESULTS
One hundred thirteen patients underwent SLN biopsy for CMHN in a 12-year period. SLN identification was successful in 96%, with a median of 3 SLNs per patient. Positive-SLNs were identified in 21%. With a median follow-up of 34 months, 28% recurred. Disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were 66% and 78% in patients with SLN-negative, and 39% and 62% in SLN-positive disease. In multivariate analysis, greater Breslow-thickness was associated with decreased DFS rate (HR 2.07, CI 1.04-4.09), and age>60 years (HR 3.53, CI 1.32-9.4) with lower 5-year OS rate.


CONCLUSIONS
Primary tumor thickness and age were associated with decreased survival, whereas SLN status showed a trend for prognostic significance in CMHN.
Gomez-Rivera
Fernando
F
Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.
Santillan
Alfredo
A
McMurphey
Andrea Barber
AB
Paraskevopoulos
George
G
Roberts
Dianna B
DB
Prieto
Victor G
VG
Myers
Jeffrey N
JN
D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D008545:Melanoma / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D021701:Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D016019:Survival Analysis