Purpose: The aim of this study was to identify the predictive factors of a positive sentinel lymph node (SLN) in patients with cutaneous malignant melanomas and tumor progression.
Methods: From October of 2000 to January of 2006, 144 patients with cutaneous malignant melanoma underwent SLN biopsy. Patients were divided into two groups according to the SLN status (positive vs negative) which were compared with regards to patient demographics and primary tumor characteristics.
Results: In 37 (25.69%) patients SLN biopsy was positive . Nodular melanomas (p=0.047), blood (p=0.010) and lymph (p<0.001) vessel infiltration, mitotic rate (p=0.019) and Breslow thickness (p=0.012) were predictive of a positive SLN biopsy. The overall recurrence, mortality and the overall disease free survival (DFS) rates were 6.25, 1.4 and 93.75, respectively.
Conclusion: SLN biopsy is the most important predictor of early disease recurrence and survival in patients with cutaneous malignant melanoma. Considering all the examined factors, a positive SLN biopsy is related with Breslow thickness and lymph vessel infiltration.