Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy and Complete Lymph Node Dissection for Melanoma

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The main surgical treatment for invasive malignant melanoma consists of wide surgical and examination of the sentinel node and in selected cases complete lymph node dissection. The aim of this review is to present data for the optimal surgical management of patients with malignant melanoma. RECENT FINDINGS: A surgical excision margin of 1–2 cm is recommended for invasive melanoma depending on the thickness of the melanoma. Sentinel node biopsy may be considered for patients with at least T1b melanomas thickness 0.8 to 1.0 mm or less than 0.8 mm Breslow thickness with ulceration, classified as T1b lesion, per recent AJCC guidelines. Two randomized controlled trials have been published—DeCOG (German Dermatologic Cooperative Oncology Group Selective Lymphadenectomy) and MSLT-2 (Multicenter Selective Lymphadenectomy Trial) comparing the complete lymph node dissection (CLND) with observation after positive sentinel node biopsy. In the MSLT-2 study, the disease control rate was improved in the immediate CLND group compared with observation but there was no difference in 3-year melanoma specific survival (86% ± 1.3% and 86% ± 1.2%, respectively; p = 0.42). Isolated limb perfusion (ILP) or isolated limb infusion (ILI) with melphalan and actinomycin D is recommended for large and multiple in-transit metastases and satellite metastases in the extremities when local excision is considered ineffective or too extensive. SUMMARY: In light of new adjuvant treatment options and new indications for checkpoint inhibitors, and the lack of survival benefit after CLND, we can expect open surgery to decrease in melanoma disease.