Sentinel lymph node biopsy and melanoma: 2010 update Part II.
This article will discuss the evidence for and against the therapeutic efficacy of early removal of potentially affected lymph nodes, morbidity associated with sentinel lymph node biopsy and completion lymphadenectomy, current guidelines regarding patient selection for sentinel lymph node biopsy, and the remaining questions that ongoing clinical trials are attempting to answer. The Sunbelt Melanoma Trial and the Multicenter Selective Lymphadenectomy Trials I and II will be discussed in detail.


OBJECTIVE
At the completion of this learning activity, participants should be able to discuss the data regarding early surgical removal of lymph nodes and its effect on the overall survival of melanoma patients, be able to discuss the potential benefits and morbidity associated with complete lymph node dissection, and to summarize the ongoing trials aimed at addressing the question of therapeutic value of early surgical treatment of regional lymph nodes that may contain micrometastases.
Stebbins
William G
WG
Massachusetts General Hospital, Department of Dermatology, 55 Fruit St, Bartlett Hall 616, Boston, MA 02114, USA. bstebbins@gmail.com
Garibyan
Lilit
L
Sober
Arthur J
AJ
D000465:Algorithms; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D008197:Lymph Node Excision / Q000009:adverse effects; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008545:Melanoma / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D018579:Patient Selection; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D011379:Prognosis; D021701:Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D016019:Survival Analysis