Effect of sentinel lymph node biopsy on circulatory systems of melanoma patients

The authors analyzed the effect of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB – a surgical procedure) on the circulatory system of skin melanoma patients.

In primary cutaneous malignant melanoma (PCMM) the cancer tends to spread from the skin to other parts of the body. Sentinel lymph node (SLN) is the first lymph node (tiny, bean-shaped organ that helps fight infection) to which the cancer cells spread. The presence of SLN is determined by a procedure called SLNB. It involves taking a tissue sample to determine whether the cancer has spread to the nearby lymph nodes. There is limited research on how SLNB procedures affect the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is part of the blood circulation system and is an important part of the immune system.

More research is needed to understand the effect of SLNB on the lymphatic system in skin melanoma patients. This will help develop treatment strategies following tumor surgeries. 

The authors aimed to analyze how the lymphatic systems of PCMM patients were affected by SLNB procedure.

41 patients were included in this study. 9 patients had primary melanoma in the shoulder, arm, forearm, wrist, or hand. 20 patients had primary melanoma in the hip, thigh, leg, ankle and foot. 11 patients had primary melanoma in the trunk (upper body). 1 patient had primary melanoma in the scalp. All patients underwent SLNB. None of the patients underwent chemotherapy or any other treatment prior to surgery.

92.7% of patients had no change in lymphatic flow after SLNB. 3 patients experienced a change in the lymphatic flow after SLNB. 16 patients did not have SLN metastases (tumors). Of the 16 patients, only 3 patients showed a relapse of the tumors. 2 of the 16 patients experienced a change in lymphatic flow and a relapse of melanoma. The remaining 14 patients did not experience any alterations in lymphatic flow or SLN metastasis. However, 2 of the 14 patients experienced a relapse of melanoma. 

The authors concluded that SLNB did not increase the risk of relapse or metastasis in malignant melanoma patients. 

Larger patient populations are needed for the results to be widely applied.