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Sentinel lymph node biopsy should be considered for all patients with melanoma greater than 1 mm in thickness and for patients with melanoma greater than 0.75 mm with other high risk pathological features to provide optimal staging and prognostic information and to maximise management options for patients who are node ...
- Is sentinel lymph node biopsy necessary for melanoma?
- When should a sentinel lymph node be biopsied?
- Should all patients with melanoma between 1 and 2 mm breslow thickness undergo sentinel lymph node biopsy?
- How is a sentinel lymph node biopsy done for melanoma?
Is sentinel lymph node biopsy necessary for melanoma?
Your doctor may recommend a SLNB if you have an increased risk of melanoma spreading to a lymph node. Melanoma has a greater risk of spreading to the nearest lymph nodes when it: Grows to a certain thickness in the skin. Has cells that are dividing quickly.
When should a sentinel lymph node be biopsied?
Sentinel lymph node biopsy can be done before or after the tumor is removed. Findings from the Multicenter Selective Lymphadenectomy Trial II (MSLT-II) also confirmed the safety of SLNB in people with melanoma with positive sentinel lymph nodes and no clinical evidence of other lymph node involvement.
Should all patients with melanoma between 1 and 2 mm breslow thickness undergo sentinel lymph node biopsy?
BACKGROUND: Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy generally is recommended for patients who have melanoma with a Breslow thickness ≥1 mm. Most patients with melanoma between 1 mm and 2 mm thick have tumor-negative SLNs and an excellent long-term prognosis.
How is a sentinel lymph node biopsy done for melanoma?
A small incision is made near the sentinel lymph node. The presence of the blue dye and an instrument that detects radiation allow the surgeon to identify the sentinel node. The node is removed and sent to a pathologist who slices it into multiple pieces. Each slice is examined under a microscope for melanoma cells.
