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Melanoma

Why is sentinel lymph node biopsy 'standard of care' for melanoma?

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A large definitive trial comparing the use of sentinel lymph node biopsy and elective lymph node dissection to observation in patients with intermediate thickness melanomas fails to show improved melanoma-specific survival. These results demand reconsideration of the routine use of sentinel lymph node biopsy in the treatment of primary melanoma.

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Correspondence to Steven A. Rosenberg.

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The authors declare no competing financial interests.

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Yang, J., Sherry, R. & Rosenberg, S. Why is sentinel lymph node biopsy 'standard of care' for melanoma?. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 11, 245–246 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrclinonc.2014.65

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