Abstract
The role of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) and its benefits in patients with thick melanoma is still controversial. We evaluated the clinical effect of SLNB in patients with thick melanoma. We performed a retrospective cohort review (1996-2012) of thick melanomas. Collected data included the patient and tumour characteristics. Locoregional recurrence, distant metastases, disease free and overall survival were compared between the patients with positive and negative SLNB. 126 thick melanomas with a mean age of 64.09 years were included in the study. Positive SLNB were found in 47 (37.3%) patients. Significantly more locoregional recurrence (P=0.002) and distant metastases (P=0.030) were detected in the patients with positive SLNB. Furthermore, the patients with negative SLNB showed significantly better disease free survival (P=0.021). Positive SLNB might be prognostic factor in thick melanoma and aggravates the outcome of thick melanomas.
Published Version
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