SLNB and Outcomes in Cutaneous Melanoma of the Head and Neck

Abstract

Objective: Among patients with cutaneous melanoma of the head and neck (CMHN) and ≥1 positive sentinel lymph node (SLN): 1) Determine if completion regional lymphadenectomy (RL) is associated with improved survival.2) Determine if survival differs between patients with 1 and >1 positive SLN.

Method: Using the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database, years 1998 to 2007, we identified 5,399 patients with primary CHNM who underwent excisional surgery and examination of ≥1 lymph node with follow-up >12 months. Clinicopathologic and outcomes data were examined using chi-square tests.

Results: In preliminary analysis, 495 patients had 1 positive node and 387 had >1 positive node. Disease-specific survival (DSS) was statistically different between these 2 groups (64% and 47%), respectively, chi-square p1 node were involved (P = .112 and .891 respectively).

Conclusion: In this simple preliminary analysis, CHNM patients with >1 positive lymph node had poorer survival compared with patients with a single positive lymph node. Among patients with SLN-positive CHNM, regional lymphadenectomy did not improve survival compared with patients who underwent SLNB alone. Formal survival analyses results will be presented.