Cutaneous melanoma and sentinel lymph node biopsy; An epidemiology study of population level data

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Date
2021
Authors
Scanlon, Lorraine
Clover, A. J. P.
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Publisher
Irish Medical Organisation
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Abstract
Aims: Cutaneous melanoma accounts for 90% of all melanoma cases diagnosed. In addition, the incidence of cutaneous melanoma is increasing by approximately 3-7% yearly, and it is the most rapidly increasing cancer diagnosed in white populations worldwide. The aim of this study is to assess the survival benefit of Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy (SLNB) in cutaneous melanoma in an Irish population. Methods: Population based data was obtained from the National Cancer Registry of Ireland (NCRI) on all patients with a cutaneous melanoma diagnosed over a 20-year period 1994-2014 and predictors of Overall Survival (OS) were assessed. Results: 13302 patients were identified with a melanoma diagnosis between 1994-2014. OS varied with gender, age, smoking and marital status, anatomical location and TMN stage. 2196 (17%) patients underwent SLNB, which included 710 patients in the stage 1 melanoma category (<11% of this group). Undergoing a SLNB was not an independent predictor of improved OS (p=0.440). However, a positive SLNB result was an independent predictor of OS (0.001). Conclusion: This Irish population-based data re-affirms demographic indicators of poorer survival. A positive SLNB result indicates poorer survival; however, the precedent itself is not a predictor of OS.
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Keywords
Cutaneous melanoma , Sentinel lymph node biopsy
Citation
Scanlon, L. and Clover, A. J. P. (2021) 'Cutaneous melanoma and sentinel lymph node biopsy; An epidemiology study of population level data', Irish Medical Journal, 114(7), July/August 2021, P402 (10pp). Available at: http://www.imj.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Cutaneous-Melanoma-and-Sentinel-Lymph-Node-Biopsy-An-Epidemiology-Study-of-Population-Level-Data.pdf (Accessed: 25 March 2022)
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© 2021, Irish Medical Journal. All rights reserved.