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Malignant melanoma. Role of node dissection reappraised
Author(s) -
Southwick Harry W.
Publication year - 1976
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(197601)37:1<202::aid-cncr2820370129>3.0.co;2-8
Subject(s) - medicine , melanoma , dissection (medical) , lymph node , surgery , lymphatic system , lymph , general surgery , pathology , cancer research
Two hundred and fifty‐nine patients with malignant melanoma have been reviewed. One hundred and fifty of these were determinate. A primary excision and dissection in continuity of the tumor, the intervening lymphatics, and the regional lymph nodes achieved a 5‐year survival free of disease for 67.5% of the patients. When the nodes were clinically negative but microscopically positive, 45% survived. An elective discontinuous node dissection offers no better prognosis than does a therapeutic dissection and is not indicated in the primary treatment of malignant melanoma.