title: A review of sentinel lymph node biopsy for thin melanoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although there is a lack of established survival benefit of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB), this technique has been increasingly applied in the staging of patients with thin (≤1.00 mm) melanoma (T1Nx), without clear supportive evidence.
  
  
  METHODS
  We review the guidelines and available literature on the indications and rationale for performing SLNB in thin melanoma.
  
  
  RESULTS
  As a consequence of the paucity of evidence of SLNB in thin melanoma, there is considerable variability in the guidelines. It is difficult to define clinicopathologic factors that reliably predict the presence of nodal metastasis. SLNB does not yet inform management in thin melanoma to improve survival outcome.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on available evidence, high risk patients with melanomas between 0.75 and 1.00 mm may be appropriate candidates to be considered for SLN biopsy after discussing the likelihood of finding evidence of nodal progression, the risks of sentinel node biopsy, and the lack of proven survival benefit from any form of surgical nodal staging.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Galway University Hospital, Galway, Ireland, kennethjoyce1@gmail.com.
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Joyce
authors.forename: N M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: McInerney
authors.forename: C W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Joyce
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Hussey
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Donnellan
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Kerin
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Regan
mesh_terms: D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D019468:Disease Management; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008545:Melanoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D021701:Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D015996:Survival Rate