SENTINEL LYMPH NODE BIOPSY AS A METHOD THAT SIGNIFICANTLY CONTRIBUTES TO THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF MALIGNANT MELANOMA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15547/tjs.2026.03.008Keywords:
cutaneous oncology, nodal staging, lymphatic mapping, ultrastaging, axillary basin, inguinal basin, tumour thickness, adjuvant therapyAbstract
PURPOSE: To assess real-world effectiveness and diagnostic yield of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in cutaneous melanoma and to define patient profiles with highest positivity. METHODS: Retrospective single-centre observational study (2023–2025) including 49 patients and 128 SLNBs; demographic/clinical variables, T category, tumour site, and draining basin were recorded; nodes were examined by ultrastaging. RESULTS: Men predominated, with peak incidence at 70–79 years. SLNB positivity was highest in T2b–T3b and rare in T1. Positive nodes most often followed trunk lesions (back/chest wall) with axillary drainage, whereas lower-limb lesions predominantly drained to the inguinal basin. Ultrastaging detected small-volume disease and refined TNM classification. CONCLUSIONS: SLNB provides reliable nodal staging in routine practice, helps avoid unnecessary completion lymphadenectomy when negative, and supports selection for adjuvant systemic therapy when positive.
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