Publications by authors named "Suroosh S Marzban"
Background: The purposes of this study were 1) to determine the impact of primary tumor-related factors on the prediction of the sentinel lymph node (SLN) status and 2) to identify clinical and pathologic factors associated with survival in Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC).
Methods: An institutional review board-approved, retrospective review of patients with MCC treated between 1988 and 2011 at a single center was performed. Patients were categorized into 5 groups: 1) negative SLN, 2) positive SLN, 3) clinically node-negative but SLN biopsy not performed, 4) regional nodal disease without a known primary tumor, and 5) primary MCC with synchronous clinically evident regional nodal disease.
Background And Objectives: Desmoplastic melanoma is a unique subtype of melanoma which typically affects older patients who often have comorbidities that can adversely affect survival. We sought to identify melanoma-specific factors influencing survival in patients with desmoplastic melanoma.
Methods: Retrospective review from 1993 to 2011 identified 316 patients with primary desmoplastic melanoma.
Purpose: Indications for sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) for thin melanoma are continually evolving. We present a large multi-institutional study to determine factors predictive of sentinel lymph node (SLN) metastasis in thin melanoma.
Patients And Methods: Retrospective review of the Sentinel Lymph Node Working Group database from 1994 to 2012 identified 1,250 patients who had an SLNB and thin melanomas (≤ 1 mm).
Background: Desmoplastic melanoma may have a high risk of local recurrence after wide excision. The authors hypothesized that adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) would improve local control in patients with desmoplastic melanoma, resulting in at least a 10% absolute decrease in local recurrence rate.
Methods: A total of 277 patients from 1989 through 2010 who were treated for nonmetastatic desmoplastic melanoma by surgery with or without adjuvant RT were reviewed.
Background: Cutaneous leiomyosarcoma is primarily a low-grade malignancy that affects elderly male Caucasians. It is a rare dermal-based tumor for which treatment algorithms have been poorly defined.
Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the use of a median 1-cm margin for resection to treat patients with cutaneous leiomyosarcoma referred for treatment between 2005 and 2010.
Background: The incidence of melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer continues to increase. To detect lesions at an earlier phase in their progression, skin cancer screening programs have been advocated by some. However, the effectiveness of skin cancer screening and the ideal population that these screenings should target have yet to be firmly established.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDefinitive reconstruction after excision of cutaneous and soft tissue malignancies is sometimes limited as a result of lack of native tissue coverage options, patient comorbidities, or pending permanent margin analysis. Acellular dermis (AlloDerm®) reconstruction offers an excellent coverage alternative in these situations. We describe our experience using AlloDerm for coverage of skin and soft tissue defects.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The utility of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) for desmoplastic melanoma (DM) is debated. We describe a large single-institution experience with SLNB for DM to determine clinicopathologic factors predictive of SLN metastasis.
Methods: Retrospective review identified 205 patients with DM who underwent SLNB from 1992 to 2010.
Background: In the United States in 2012, there were 16,060 new cases of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Often CLL is clinically occult and first detected during pathologic evaluation of the sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB). We reviewed our experience of patients with the coexisting diagnosis of melanoma and CLL.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Studies have demonstrated a higher rate of nodal metastases in melanoma of childhood, but there is controversy about the overall prognosis relative to adults. We describe a large single-institution experience with pediatric melanoma and assess prognostic characteristics.
Methods: Retrospective review identified 126 patients diagnosed with melanoma at <21 years of age and referred for treatment from 1986 to 2011.
Background: A consensus for which patients with thin melanomas (≤1 mm) should undergo sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is not established. We describe a large single institution experience with SLNB for thin melanomas to determine factors predictive of nodal metastases.
Methods: Retrospective review from 2005 to 2010 identified 271 patients with thin melanomas who underwent SLNB, along with 13 additional patients not treated with SLNB who developed a nodal recurrence as first site of recurrence.
Background: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare neuroendocrine tumor of the skin. MCC from an unknown primary origin (MCCUP) can present a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. We describe our single-institution experience with the diagnosis and management of MCCUP presenting as metastases to lymph nodes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is widely used in melanoma. Identifying nodal involvement preoperatively by high-resolution ultrasound may offer less invasive staging. This study assessed feasibility and staging results of clinically targeted ultrasound (before lymphoscintigraphy) compared to SLNB.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Hyperthermic isolated limb perfusion (HILP) or isolated limb infusion (ILI) are well-accepted regional chemotherapy techniques for in-transit melanoma of extremity. The role and efficacy of repeat regional chemotherapy for recurrence and which salvage procedure is better remains debatable. We aimed to compare toxicities and clinical outcomes by procedure types and the sequence.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Major amputations are indicated for advanced tumors when limb-preservation techniques have been exhausted. Radical surgery can result in significant palliation and possible cure.
Methods: We identified 40 patients who underwent forequarter (FQ) or hindquarter (HQ) amputations between May 2000 and January 2011.
Background: Shave biopsy of cutaneous lesions is simple, efficient, and commonly used clinically. However, this technique has been criticized for its potential to hamper accurate diagnosis and microstaging of melanoma, thereby complicating treatment decision-making.
Study Design: We retrospectively analyzed a consecutive series of patients referred to the University of Florida Shands Cancer Center or to the Moffitt Cancer Center for treatment of primary cutaneous melanoma, initially diagnosed on shave biopsy to have Breslow depth < 2 mm, to determine the accuracy of shave biopsy in T-staging and the potential impact on definitive surgical treatment and outcomes.
Background And Objectives: Biopsy of Cloquet's node (CN) during groin dissection has been used to indicate need for pelvic dissection. With earlier detection of microscopic regional disease in the era of sentinel node biopsy (SNB), frequency of positive CN may be so low that routine biopsy is unwarranted.
Methods: Patients with positive groin SNB from 2000 to 2008 were identified from two centers.
Background: Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a rare dermal tumor with local recurrence rates ranging from 0 to 50%. Controversy exists regarding margin width and excision techniques, with some advocating Mohs surgery and others wide excision (WE). We reviewed the experience in two tertiary centers using WE with total peripheral margin pathologic evaluation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: Patients with thin melanoma (