ICG-guided sentinel lymph node biopsy in melanoma is as effective as blue dye: A retrospective analysis.

Introduction: Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is a key procedure in the staging and management of melanoma. Traditionally, it is performed using a dual-mapping technique combining a radioactive isotope (RI) and blue dye (BD). Fluorescence-guided surgery with indocyanine green (ICG) has emerged as an alternative tracer, offering potential advantages in real-time visualization and operative efficiency.

Long-term outcomes and patterns of recurrence in patients with thin melanoma and a negative sentinel lymph node biopsy: a single-center experience.

The majority of patients diagnosed with melanoma have thin melanomas (≤1 mm). Data on the rate and pattern of recurrence after a negative sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) are sparse. We retrospectively searched our institutional database and retrieved the records of patients with thin melanomas who underwent an SLNB with negative results.

Current Challenges and Perspectives in Breast Cancer in Elderly Women: The Senologic International Society (SIS) Survey.

Objective: Mammographic screening and management of breast cancer (BC) in elderly women are controversial and continue to be an important health problem. To investigate, through members of the Senologic International Society (SIS), the current global practices in BC in elderly women, highlighting topics of debate and suggesting perspectives.

Materials And Methods: The questionnaire was sent to the SIS network and included 55 questions on definitions of an elderly woman, BC epidemiology, screening, clinical and pathological characteristics, therapeutic management in elderly women, onco-geriatric assessment and perspectives.

The Senologic International Society Survey on Ductal Carcinoma : Present and Future.

Objective: Therapeutic management of ductal carcinoma (DCIS) is heterogeneous among countries worldwide, and some treatment indications are still controversial. To investigate DCIS management in different countries; identify both consensual practices and controversial topics; and survey opinions about the future management of DCIS.

Materials And Methods: The Senologic International Society network members participated to an online survey using a questionnaire, between November 2021 and February 2022.

The Benefit of Routine Axillary Sonographic Assessment in cN0 Breast Cancer Patients.

Objective: Axillary ultrasound (US) is often part of the routine assessment of the clinically negative axilla in primary breast cancer, which determines the extent of axillary surgery to be performed. This study aims to ascertain the burden of disease in the axilla of patients with a normal clinical examination (cN0) but with US detected metastatic axillary lymph nodes.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively identified 345 female patients who underwent axillary lymph node dissection, following a positive lymph node biopsy, between January 2015 and August 2019.

[CURRENT ASPECTS OF BREAST CANCER TREATMENT].

Breast cancer is the most common malignant tumor in Israel and the Western World. Approximately 5,000 women are being diagnosed with breast cancer every year in Israel. Treatment of breast cancer has changed from surgical only to multidisciplinary including surgeons, oncologists, radiologists and plastic surgeons.

Is There a Relationship Between TILs and Regression in Melanoma?

Background: The relationship between tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and regression in melanoma is unknown. This report describes a large multicenter study assessing the association between TILs and regression.

Methods: The Sentinel Lymph Node Working Group database was queried from 1993 to 2018 for cases with TILs and regression data.

Regression in melanoma is significantly associated with a lower regional recurrence rate and better recurrence-free survival.

Background And Objectives: The prognostic significance of regression in predicting melanoma recurrences is unknown. We present a large multicenter study correlating regression with recurrence.

Methods: The Sentinel Lymph Node Working Group database was queried from 1993 to 2018 for cases with regression data.

Regression is significantly associated with outcomes for patients with melanoma.

Background: The prognostic significance of regression in melanoma is debated. We present a large multicenter study correlating regression with sentinel lymph node metastasis and melanoma-specific survival.

Methods: The Sentinel Lymph Node Working Group database was reviewed from 1993 to 2018.

Breast Cancer Management During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Senologic International Society Survey.

Objective: In early 2020, the spread of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) led the World Health Organization to declare this disease a pandemic. Initial epidemiological data showed that patients with cancer were at high risk of developing severe forms of COVID-19. National scientific societies published recommendations modifying the patients' breast cancer (BC) management to preserve, in theory, quality oncologic care, avoiding the increased risk of contamination.

Factors predicting survival in thick melanoma: Do all thick melanomas have the same prognosis?

Background: It is unknown whether all thick melanomas share the same prognostic features. We present a large, multi-institutional study on thick melanoma, evaluating for factors prognostic of survival.

Methods: We queried the database of the Sentinel Lymph Node Working Group for patients with thick melanoma (>4 mm) who had a sentinel lymph node biopsy from 1993 to 2018.

Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy Is Prognostic in Thickest Melanoma Cases and Should Be Performed for Thick Melanomas.

Background: Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is recommended for intermediate thickness melanoma, but for thick melanoma, guidelines are less definitive about the use of SLNB in this population. We present a study on thick melanoma evaluating for prognostic factors.

Patients And Methods: The Sentinel Lymph Node Working Group database was queried for thick (> 4 mm) melanoma cases that had a SLNB from 1993 to 2018.

Preoperative Ultrasound Assessment of Regional Lymph Nodes in Melanoma Patients Does not Provide Reliable Nodal Staging: Results From a Large Multicenter Trial.

Objective: To assess whether preoperative ultrasound (US) assessment of regional lymph nodes in patients who present with primary cutaneous melanoma provides accurate staging.

Background: It has been suggested that preoperative US could avoid the need for sentinel node (SN) biopsy, but in most single-institution reports, the sensitivity of preoperative US has been low.

Methods: Preoperative US data and SNB results were analyzed for patients enrolled at 20 centers participating in the screening phase of the second Multicenter Selective Lymphadenectomy Trial.

Recurrence of Melanoma After a Negative Sentinel Node Biopsy: Predictors and Impact of Recurrence Site on Survival.

Background: Factors that predict melanoma recurrence after a negative sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) are not well-defined. We evaluated melanoma recurrence patterns, factors prognostic for recurrence, and the impact of recurrence on outcomes after a negative SLNB.

Methods: The Sentinel Lymph Node Working Group database was evaluated from 1996 to 2016 for negative SLNB melanoma patients.

Completion lymphadenectomy for a positive sentinel node biopsy in melanoma patients is not associated with a survival benefit.

Background: Completion lymph node dissection (CLND) for sentinel lymph node (SLN) disease in melanoma patients is debated. We evaluated the impact of CLND on survival and assessed for predictors of nonsentinel node metastasis (positive CLND).

Methods: Positive SLN melanoma patients were retrospectively identified in the Sentinel Lymph Node Working Group database.

Microsatellitosis in Patients with Melanoma.

Background: Microsatellitosis (mS) in melanoma has been considered a marker of unfavorable tumor biology, leading to the current American Joint Committee on Cancer staging of IIIB/C/D disease, despite few investigative studies of this entity limited by the small sample sizes and incomplete nodal microstaging. We sought to better characterize outcomes and prognostic factors in a multi-institutional cohort of patients with mS and nodal microstaging.

Methods: The Sentinel Lymph Node Working Group cohort included 414 mS patients who underwent sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy.

Perioperative BRAF inhibitors in locally advanced stage III melanoma.

Background And Objectives: Stage III malignant melanoma is a heterogeneous disease where those cases deemed marginally resectable or irresecatble are frequently incurable by surgery alone. Targeted therapy takes advantage of the high incidence of BRAF mutations in melanomas, most notably the V600E mutation. These agents have rarely been used in a neoadjuvant setting prior to surgery.

Completion Dissection or Observation for Sentinel-Node Metastasis in Melanoma.

Background: Sentinel-lymph-node biopsy is associated with increased melanoma-specific survival (i.e., survival until death from melanoma) among patients with node-positive intermediate-thickness melanomas (1.

The Impact of Smoking on Sentinel Node Metastasis of Primary Cutaneous Melanoma.

Background: Although a well-established causative relationship exists between smoking and several epithelial cancers, the association of smoking with metastatic progression in melanoma is not well studied. We hypothesized that smokers would be at increased risk for melanoma metastasis as assessed by sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy.

Methods: Data from the first international Multicenter Selective Lymphadenectomy Trial (MSLT-I) and the screening-phase of the second trial (MSLT-II) were analyzed to determine the association of smoking with clinicopathologic variables and SLN metastasis.

Assessment of Residual Disease With Molecular Breast Imaging in Patients Undergoing Neoadjuvant Therapy: Association With Molecular Subtypes.

Background: Assessment of residual disease after neoadjuvant therapy for breast cancer is an ongoing challenge of breast imaging. This study evaluates the accuracy of a novel dedicated system for molecular breast imaging (MBI) composed of the new generation of cadmium zinc telluride detectors in assessing residual disease after neoadjuvant therapy in patients with breast cancer.

Patients And Methods: Clinical data, imaging, surgical, and pathological findings of 51 women with breast cancer undergoing neoadjuvant therapy were recorded.

Oncoplastic reduction using the vertical scar superior-medial pedicle pattern technique for immediate partial breast reconstruction.

Background: Oncoplastic breast reduction in women with medium to large breasts has reportedly benefitted them both oncologically and cosmetically. We present our experience with an oncoplastic breast reduction technique using a vertical scar superior-medial pedicle pattern for immediate partial breast reconstruction.

Methods: All patients with breast tumours who underwent vertical scar superior-medial pedicle reduction pattern oncoplastic surgery at our centre between September 2006 and June 2010 were retrospectively studied.

Tumor-to-breast volume ratio as measured on MRI: a possible predictor of breast-conserving surgery versus mastectomy.

Background: The surgical approach to breast cancer changed dramatically in the past 20 years. The surgical objective today is to remove the tumor, ensuring negative margins and good cosmetic results, and preserving the breast when possible. Magnetic resonance imaging of the breast has become an essential imaging tool prior to surgery, diagnosing additional tumors and assessing tumor extent.

Comparative evaluation of [(99m)tc]tilmanocept for sentinel lymph node mapping in breast cancer patients: results of two phase 3 trials.

Background: Sentinel lymph node (SLN) surgery is used worldwide for staging breast cancer patients and helps limit axillary lymph node dissection. [(99m)Tc]Tilmanocept is a novel receptor-targeted radiopharmaceutical evaluated in 2 open-label, nonrandomized, within-patient, phase 3 trials designed to assess the lymphatic mapping performance.

Methods: A total of 13 centers contributed 148 patients with breast cancer.

Combined analysis of phase III trials evaluating [⁹⁹mTc]tilmanocept and vital blue dye for identification of sentinel lymph nodes in clinically node-negative cutaneous melanoma.

Background: [(99m)Tc]Tilmanocept is a CD206 receptor-targeted radiopharmaceutical designed for sentinel lymph node (SLN) identification. Two nearly identical nonrandomized phase III trials compared [(99m)Tc]tilmanocept to vital blue dye.

Methods: Patients received [(99m)Tc]tilmanocept and blue dye.