The Feasibility of Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy with a Multidisciplinary Cooperative Team Approach for the Management of Koreans with Cutaneous Malignant Melanoma.
- Author:
Seok Jong LEE
1
;
Hyun Jung LIM
;
Ho Youn KIM
;
Chang Hyun SONG
;
Byung Soo KIM
;
Weon Ju LEE
;
Do Won KIM
;
Jin Hyang JUNG
;
Ho Yong PARK
;
Sang Gul KIM
;
Ghil Suk YOON
;
Jae Tae LEE
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords: Malignant melanoma; Multidisciplinary approach; Sentinel lymph node; Sentinel lymph node biopsy
- MeSH: Dermatology; Humans; Melanoma; Neoplasm Metastasis; Nitriles; Pyrethrins; Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy
- From:Annals of Dermatology 2010;22(1):26-34
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: BACKGROUND: The regional lymph nodal status is the most powerful independent predictor of survival for patients with clinical N0 primary cutaneous malignant melanoma. OBJECTIVE: We wanted to evaluate the feasibility and morbidity of the sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) staging using a multidisciplinary team approach, in cooperation with other surgical departments, at a university hospital setting. METHODS: Twenty two patients with cutaneous melanoma and who were treated at Kyungpook National University Hospital were included in this study. They all received SLNB, which was done by the Departments of Dermatology and General Surgery. We evaluated the feasibility and side effects of SLNB. RESULTS: Pathologically-positive sentinel nodes were found in 7 of the 22 cases (31.8%) and all 7 patients were consequently upstaged. The whole process involved in SLNB was well tolerated by nearly all the patients, with only mild and transient complications being observed. CONCLUSION: We suggest that in a Korean setting, utilizing SLNB with a multi-disciplinary team approach is a technically feasible procedure that is able to detect occult nodal metastasis with low morbidity rates in patients with cutaneous malignant melanoma.
