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Langenbeck's Archives of Surgery

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01-09-2005 | Original Article

Sentinel node metastasectomy in thin ≤1-mm melanoma

Authors: Ilkka Koskivuo, Erkki Suominen, Juha Niinikoski, Lauri Talve

Published in: Langenbeck's Archives of Surgery | Issue 5/2005

Abstract

Background and aims

Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) has been widely accepted as a precise tool to stage melanoma. In thin T1 melanomas (≤1 mm), the indication of SLNB is controversial since the risk of nodal metastasis is low. The aim of this study was to assess if SLNB detects occult nodal metastases among patients with thin melanomas.

Patients and methods

SLNB was performed prospectively in 135 patients with invasive melanoma in any depth category, including 56 T1 melanomas.

Results

Nodal metastases were detected in 18% by SLNB, and there were three sentinel-positive thin melanomas, constituting 5% of the T1 cases. Histopathologically, there were no factors of the primary tumors that would have predicted these metastases.

Conclusion

SLNB is a precise method to detect clinically silent nodal metastases in thin invasive melanoma. Certain histopathologic features of a thin primary lesion may correlate with the predictive probability of the sentinel node status. We were unable to identify these predictors, but the conclusions from this study are limited by the small sample size. Advanced melanoma is a lethal disease, and accurate staging is essential also in the T1 group. For stage III patients with occult nodal metastases, metastasectomy is a better option for cure than observation.

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Title: Sentinel node metastasectomy in thin ≤1-mm melanoma
Authors: Ilkka Koskivuo
Erkki Suominen
Juha Niinikoski
Lauri Talve
Publication date: 01-09-2005
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Langenbeck's Archives of Surgery / Issue 5/2005
Print ISSN: 1435-2443
Electronic ISSN: 1435-2451
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00423-005-0572-5

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Sentinel node metastasectomy in thin ≤1-mm melanoma

Abstract

Background and aims

Patients and methods

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background and aims

Patients and methods

Results

Conclusion

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