Patterns of drainage and recurrence following sentinel lymph node biopsy for cutaneous melanoma of the head and neck.

Objectives: To analyze lymphatic drainage patterns and recurrence patterns in patients undergoing sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) for cutaneous head and neck melanoma.

Design: Retrospective review of a consecutive series with a mean follow-up of 35 months.

Setting: Tertiary cancer care center.

Patterns of recurrence after sentinel lymph node biopsy for cutaneous melanoma.

Background: Previous sentinel lymph node (SLN) studies for cutaneous melanoma have shown that the SLN accurately reflects the nodal status of the corresponding nodal basin. However, there are few long-term studies that describe recurrence site patterns, predictors for recurrence, and overall survival and disease-free survival after SLN biopsy.

Methods: A retrospective review of patients over a 6-year period was performed to determine patient outcomes and the patterns of recurrence.