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Significance of sentinel lymph node biopsy in malignant melanoma: overview of international data

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Abstract

The notion of sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping and its use during surgery for staging cancer was initially reported in 1992, in a study involving patients with malignant melanoma. To date SLN biopsy (SLNB) has emerged as a rational approach for staging regional lymph nodes in patients with clinically node-negative melanoma (stage I and II disease). The significance of SLNB as a staging and prognostic tool in melanoma is widely accepted. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis of the SLN remains very controversial. Whether SLNB improves survival in melanoma patients remains an open question.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Midashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan

    Yoichi Moroi

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  1. Yoichi Moroi
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Correspondence to Yoichi Moroi.

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Moroi, Y. Significance of sentinel lymph node biopsy in malignant melanoma: overview of international data. Int J Clin Oncol 14, 485–489 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10147-009-0942-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10147-009-0942-z

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