Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in Melanoma
Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in Melanoma
A diagnosis of melanoma often generates a significant degree of distress for the patient. When counseling patients regarding their prognosis, the status of the regional lymph node basin is of vital significance. SLNB, when performed in carefully selected patients at risk for nodal metastasis, is the most important staging tool available to clinicians. While further data are necessary to determine if early identification of nodal disease leads to a survival advantage, other benefits exist. Worldwide, SLNB has become an accepted procedure for primary lesions >1.0 mm Breslow depth and selected lesions between 0.75 and 1.0 mm Breslow depth.
Conclusion
A diagnosis of melanoma often generates a significant degree of distress for the patient. When counseling patients regarding their prognosis, the status of the regional lymph node basin is of vital significance. SLNB, when performed in carefully selected patients at risk for nodal metastasis, is the most important staging tool available to clinicians. While further data are necessary to determine if early identification of nodal disease leads to a survival advantage, other benefits exist. Worldwide, SLNB has become an accepted procedure for primary lesions >1.0 mm Breslow depth and selected lesions between 0.75 and 1.0 mm Breslow depth.
