Quality of Life After Axillary or Groin Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy, With or Without Completion Lymph Node Dissection, in Patients With Cutaneous Melanoma

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to asses quality of life (QoL) after axillary or inguinal sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) with or without completion lymph node dissection (CLND) in patients with cutaneous melanoma by comparing patients to a norm group of the general population and by comparing QoL between four patient groups depending on surgical procedure and location, i.e., patients receiving an axillary or groin SLNB, or an axillary or groin CLND. METHODS: Between 1995 and 2003, a total of 242 axillary and inguinal SLNBs were performed. Of the 127 patients eligible for the study, 116 patients participated (91%). QoL was measured by the 30-item European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30), the McGill Pain Questionnaire and the Groningen Activity Restriction Scale. RESULTS: Median age at diagnosis was 50 (range, 18–77) years; median Breslow thickness 2.0 (range, 1–13) mm; median follow-up 56 (range, 4–94) months. SLNB only was performed in 89 patients (77%): 48 in the groin and 41 in the axilla. CLND was performed in 27 patients (23%): 13 in the axilla and 14 in the groin. More postoperative complications (13 vs. 5; P < 0.001) and lymphedema (10 vs. 8; P < 0.001) occurred in the CLND group than in the SLNB group. The total group of patients reported better physical (P < 0.001), role (P < 0.001), emotional (P < 0.001), and social functioning (P = 0.049), global QoL (P < 0.001), and less fatigue (P < 0.001) and pain (P < 0.001) than a German norm group. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences in role functioning (P = 0.02) and tendencies toward physical problems (P = 0.051) and fatigue (P = 0.051) between the four groups. Post hoc Bonferroni tests showed that the axillary CLND group had more problems than the axillary and inguinal SLNB groups. Kruskal-Wallis tests showed that the axillary CLND group reported most pain. CONCLUSIONS: QoL in melanoma survivors after axillary or inguinal SLNB with or without CLND was better than that in a norm group. Patients who underwent CLND in the axilla after SLNB reported most problems.