Sentinel Lymph Node

Melanoma is one of the most aggressive metastatic cancers. In order to accurately stage the progression of disease and potentially prevent the spread of melanoma, surgeons previously would remove all the lymph nodes in a nodal basin. Now, surgeons perform a less invasive procedure, a selective sentinel lymph node dissection. It is used to determine whether or not the existing melanoma spread to the sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) near the primary melanoma site. Surgeons will use a tracer to locate and remove the SLNs. By examining only a few lymph nodes, the pathologist can accurately stage the disease. If the SLNs are free of melanoma, the patient is followed carefully by their treating physician to monitor possible recurrence. If the SLNs contain disease, the physician will review further treatment options with the patient.