National trials involving lymphatic mapping for melanoma: the multicenter selective lymphadenectomy trial, the sunbelt melanoma trial, and the florida melanoma trial

Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy for Cutaneous Melanoma

“…[4][5][6] With minimal morbidity, SLN biopsy (SLNB; also known as sentinel lymph node dissection [SLND]) reliably detects subclinical nodal involvement, [7][8][9][10] provides accurate and cost-effective 11 staging, and identifies patients who may benefit from standard adjuvant or experimental therapy. 3,12 Whether SLNB confers a survival benefit awaits confirmation from several ongoing clinical trials, 13 including the Multicenter Sentinel Lymphadenectomy Trial, 7 the Sunbelt Melanoma Trial, 14 and the Florida Melanoma Trial. 15 A number of studies have sought to identify predictors of SLN status, with variable findings.…”

“…35,36,[44][45][46][47] In the absence of completed clinical trials, single-institution experiences add value by demonstrating the reliability and reproducibility of this procedure. The potential survival benefit of SLNB will be clarified by the results of several ongoing clinical trials, 13 including the Multicenter Selective Lymphadenectomy Trial, 7 the Sunbelt Melanoma Trial, 14 …”

Does sentinel lymph node biopsy in cutaneous head and neck melanoma alter disease outcome?

“…A combination of high relapse rates and the persisting lack of effective treatment for recurrent disease has focused attention on optimizing initial management as a means of improving the overall outcome. The value and reliability of SLNB as a staging procedure in melanoma have been well-described in the literature since it was first reported in 1990, but final results of the multicenter selective lymphadenectomy trial (MSLT I) are still pending [6,7]. SLNB can identify indeed patients who may theoretically benefit from complete lymph node dissection.…”

Scalp Melanoma- What Lies Beneath Is More Important: A Case Report

“…8 The need for neck dissection is still a controversy as it has not shown to increase the survival benefits. 9 Recent studies have shown that interferon (IFN) alfa 2b can be given as adjuvant treatment for high risk melanomas and survival rates have improved. 10 Monoclonal antibodies are also considered as second line treatment in non-resectable metastatic melanoma 11 .…”