Title: Underpowered conclusions can be potentially misleading with regards to the ratio of number of lymphoscintigraphy identified and surgically excised sentinel nodes in melanoma patients
Abstract: We read the recent article by Richtig et al. with interest but also with some concerns regarding their conclusions. 1 Richtig E. Komericki P. Trapp M. Ratio of marked and excised sentinel lymph nodes and scintigraphic appearance time in melanoma patients with negative sentinel lymph node. EJSO. 2010; 36: 783-788 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (11) Google Scholar Lymphoscintigraphy is an integral part of sentinel node biopsy for melanoma patients. Sentinel node biopsy (SNB) is considered by many to be the standard of care for melanoma greater than 1 mm in thickness or melanomas thinner than that but otherwise regarded as high risk. 2 Australian and NZ guidelines http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/_files_nhmrc/file/publications/synopses/cp111.pdf. Google Scholar Without any doubt SNB provides prognostic and staging information and improves disease-free survival by reducing regional nodal recurrences. 3 Morton D.L. Thompson J.F. Cochran A.J. et al. Interim results of the multicenter selective lymphaenectomy trial (MSLT-I) in clinical stage I melanoma. J Clin Oncol. 2005; 23: 710S Google Scholar Response to the letter, “Underpowered conclusions can be potentially misleading with regards to the number of lymphoscintigraphy identified and surgically excised sentinel nodes in melanoma patients” by Nicholas C. Lee and Andrew J. SpillaneEuropean Journal of Surgical OncologyVol. 37Issue 5PreviewIn their letter, Nicolas C. Lee and Andrew J. Spillane raise concern that our conclusion of “…it suffices to harvest the first sentinel node (SN), as the ratio of marked and excised SNs has no impact on disease progression” in melanoma patients with negative SN may be underpowered. They also raise the question whether an incomplete sentinel node biopsy (SNB) has an influence on the aetiology of a false-negative sentinel node (SN). Full-Text PDF
Publication Year: 2011
Publication Date: 2011-02-21
Language: en
Type: letter
Indexed In: ['crossref', 'pubmed']
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Cited By Count: 2
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