Ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration cytology as an addendum to sentinel lymph node biopsy can perfect the staging strategy in melanoma patients.

Background: Ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration cytology (US-guided FNAC) can identify microscopic involvement of lymph nodes as in breast cancer and avoid surgical sentinel node (SN). Its utility in melanoma patients is controversial and subject of this study.

Methods: Between 2001 and 2010 over 1000 stage I/II consecutive melanoma patients prospectively underwent US-FNAC prior to SN biopsy.