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Sentinel lymph node biopsy in thick malignant melanoma: A 16-year single unit experience

  • Clinical Report
  • Published:
European Journal of Dermatology Aims and scope

Abstract

Background

The role of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) and its benefits in patients with thick melanoma is still controversial.

Objectives

We evaluated the clinical effect of SLNB in patients with thick melanoma.

Methods

We performed a retrospective cohort review (1996–2012) of thick melanomas. Collected data included the patient and tumour characteristics. Locoregional recurrence, distant metastases, disease free and overall survival were compared between the patients with positive and negative SLNB.

Results

126 thick melanomas with a mean age of 64.09 years were included in the study. Positive SLNB were found in 47 (37.3%) patients. Significantly more locoregional recurrence (P = 0.002) and distant metastases (P = 0.030) were detected in the patients with positive SLNB. Furthermore, the patients with negative SLNB showed significantly better disease free survival (P = 0.021)

Conclusions

Positive SLNB might be prognostic factor in thick melanoma and aggravates the outcome of thick melanomas.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University Clinic for Dermatology, University of Bern, 3010, Bern, Switzerland

    Robert E. Hunger & S. Morteza Seyed Jafari

  2. University Clinic for Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgery, University Hospital, Inselspital, University of Bern, 3010, Bern, Switzerland

    Aude Michel & Maziar Shafighi

Authors
  1. Robert E. Hunger
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  2. Aude Michel
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  3. S. Morteza Seyed Jafari
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  4. Maziar Shafighi
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to S. Morteza Seyed Jafari.

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Hunger, R.E., Michel, A., Seyed Jafari, S.M. et al. Sentinel lymph node biopsy in thick malignant melanoma: A 16-year single unit experience. Eur J Dermatol 25, 472–476 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1684/ejd.2015.2626

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1684/ejd.2015.2626

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