Sentinel node biopsy for melanoma: New Zealand indication guidelines in practice

Current New Zealand cutaneous melanoma management guidelines1 note thin melanomas (<1mm) can usually be cured by primary tumour removal, and while unnecessary in most cases, sentinel node biopsy (SNB) may be considered for patients with poor prognostic factors, such as ulceration or dermal mitoses (T1b2). For patients with intermediate thickness melanomas (1–4mm: T2 and T3), it is suggested SNB is useful for identifying small nodal metastases, allowing more accurate staging, better prognostication and improved regional tumour control.

https://ift.tt/2P4NxNN