Wide Local Excision Prior to Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy for Primary Melanoma of the Head and Neck | PracticeUpdate

Published in Dermatology

Journal Scan / Research · April 22, 2019

Wide Local Excision Prior to Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy for Primary Melanoma of the Head and Neck

International Journal of Dermatology

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• Of 391 patients with primary melanoma of the head and neck, 30 underwent prior wide local excision (WLE) before sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB). While there was no statistically significant difference in local or regional recurrence between patients with prior WLE and those who underwent SLNB at the time of WLE, 4 of the 30 patients had a regional recurrence on average less than 1 year later. The authors hypothesized that the sentinel lymph node may have been incorrectly identified in patients with prior WLE. As the sample size was relatively small, further studies are needed to determine if prior WLE may put patients at risk of a false-negative SLNB.

• Prior WLE does not preclude SLNB in patients with primary melanoma of the head and neck. The authors cautioned against shave biopsy for melanoma as it could make the tumor depth difficult to determine. 

– Caitlyn T. Reed, MD

http://www.practiceupdate.com/content/wide-local-excision-prior-to-sentinel-lymph-node-biopsy-for-primary-melanoma-of-the-head-and-neck/82261

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Benjamin Hidalgo-Matlock
Skin Care Physicians of Costa Rica

Clinica Victoria en San Pedro: 4000-1054
Momentum Escazu: 2101-9574

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