Nodal staging in localized melanoma. The experience of the Brescia Melanoma Unit.

Background And Objectives: We report our experience with patients affected by cutaneous melanoma undergoing sentinel node (SN) biopsy.

Methods: From November 1997 to October 2000 we performed 128 selective lymphadenectomies (SN biopsy) on 127 patients with cutaneous melanoma with Breslow thickness>1 mm or regression or ulceration. Age, sex, tumour location ad histology were recorded.