A recent study shows that a short interval as compared to a long one between the primary melanoma excision and obtaining a sentinel lymph node biopsy specimen demonstrate similar patient results.
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“Obtaining a sentinel lymph node biopsy specimen is a
standard staging procedure in the management of cutaneous melanoma,”
researchers said. “However, there is no consensus on the safe time interval
between the primary melanoma biopsy procedure and the sentinel node procedure.”
Examining the link between the time from excision to
sentinel lymph node biopsy and patient outcomes for melanoma, requires a
systematic review and meta-analysis, based on the recommendations of the Preferred
Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.
There were 6 retrospective studies that met the
eligibility criteria. An aggregate of 9,705 patients were identified, and 4,383
of whom underwent a sentinel lymph node biopsy procedure at a time interval
defined as early and 4,574 at an interval defined as late.
Combined hazard ratio or HR was 1.25 and a high
heterogeneity of the sentinel lymph node biopsy time interval on melanoma-specific
survival was observed. For disease-free survival, the combined HR was 1.05,
with low heterogeneity.
Lastly, with regards to the overall survival, the combined
HR was 1.25, with low heterogeneity.
The heterogeneity between some studies was a major
limitation of this research.
Source: J Am Acad Dermatol 2021;85:128-134