title: Sentinel lymph node biopsy in cases of skin melanoma: initial experiences at a center in northeastern Brazil.
abstract: The incidence of skin melanoma is increasing worldwide. The presence of lymph node metastasis is the most important prognostic factor of this disease, the thicker the lesion the greater the likelihood of lymph node involvement. Approximately 20% of patients with Breslow depth 1-4 mm have lymph node metastasis. Sentinel lymph node biopsy is standard procedure in the management of patients with skin melanoma, reflecting progress in the treatment of this disease since this procedure avoids an unnecessary radical lymphadenectomy, thus reducing the morbidity of treatment. This paper describes a series of cases involving sentinel lymph node biopsy in melanoma patients in Teresina, Piauí, Brazil between 2008 and 2009.
authors: Bionuclear Diagnostics Center (Centro Bionuclear de Diagnóstico – CBD), São Marcos Hospital and Federal University of Piauí, Piauí, Brazil. rafaelblages@gmail.com
authors: Rafael Bandeira
authors: RB
authors: Lages
authors: Sabas Carlos
authors: SC
authors: Vieira
authors: Benedita Andrade Leal de
authors: BA
authors: Abreu
authors: Ilanna Naianny Leal
authors: IN
authors: Rodrigues
authors: Lina Gomes Dos
authors: LG
authors: Santos
authors: Natália Monteiro
authors: NM
authors: Cordeiro