Hot dots - which nodes should be removed in sentinel lymph node biopsy for melanoma?

Background: Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is a critical staging tool for melanoma patients. The optimal number of lymph nodes removed in SLNB remains unclear. In this study, we retrospectively analysed and tested different criteria for selecting sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) by radiotracer uptake and blue dye, and their impact on nodal staging.

Circulating tumor DNA is a prognostic biomarker in metastatic melanoma patients treated with chemoimmunotherapy and BRAF inhibitor.

Background: Detectable circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) has been associated with worse prognosis in melanoma patients.

Material And Methods: We studied plasma ctDNA as a prognostic biomarker in 19 patients with metastatic melanoma and a detectable tumor mutation (13 BRAF, 5 NRAS, and 1 KRAS). Patients had received chemotherapy, interferon-alpha, and vemurafenib in a prospective clinical trial.

Pelvic sentinel lymph nodes have minimal impact on survival in melanoma patients.

Background: Lower limb or trunk melanoma often presents with femoral and pelvic sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs). The benefits of harvesting pelvic lymph nodes remain controversial. In this retrospective study, the frequency and predictors of pelvic SLNs (PSLNs), and the impact of PSLNs on survival and staging was investigated.

Higher number of steps and breaks during sedentary behaviour are associated with better lipid profiles.

Background: Physical activity (PA) is known to be associated with lipid profiles and the risk of both cardiovascular diseases and cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of objectively measured PA, sedentary behaviour (SB), amount of breaks during SB and number of daily steps with serum lipids in a healthy, Finnish, middle-aged, female population.

Methods: The participants (571) were recruited at mammography screening, target group was women aged 50-60 years.