Sentinel lymph node biopsy is associated with increased cost in higher risk thin melanoma.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines recommend that sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) be discussed with patients with thin melanoma at higher risk for lymph node metastasis (T1b or T1a with positive deep margins, lymphovascular invasion, or high mitotic index). We examined the association between SLNB and resource utilization in this cohort.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients that underwent wide local excision for higher risk thin melanomas from 2009 to 2018 at a tertiary care center. Patients who underwent SLNB were compared to those who did not undergo SLNB with regard to resource utilization, including total hospital cost.

Results

A total of 70 patients were included in the analysis and 50 patients (71.4%) underwe

SUBMITTER: Aiken TJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7770044 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature