Abstract
The role of elective lymph node dissection (ELND) in stage I melanoma has been a controversial issue for decades. Numerous studies have been conducted to try to establish the benefit of ELND versus wide local excision (WLE). The majority of these studies suggest no significant difference in survival, although some investigations have shown ELND to be of benefit in intermediate thickness (0.76-3.99 mm) melanomas. In order to resolve this ongoing controversy, a meta-analysis was undertaken to review and analyse the results of previous reports. There was a total of 10,132 patients of whom 3,409 in 15 studies underwent ELND for all melanoma patients and 3,618 patients of whom 1,336 in eight studies had ELND for intermediate thickness (0.76-3.99) melanomas. No significant 5-year survival was present in all patients treated with ELND (p > 0.05, confidence intervals -0.0780, 0.0788), however, a significant 5-year survival was found in the intermediate thickness subgroup (p < 0.0001, confidence intervals -0.02, 0.22). Therefore, ELND may be valuable for improving the prognosis of patients with intermediate thickness melanomas.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
