- P Ali-Salaam: Yale Melanoma Unit, Department of Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.
Once melanoma cells leave the skin and travel to the lymph nodes, they have metastasized, thereby reducing chances for the patient's long-term, disease-free survival. Methods for tracing and removing lymph nodes include elective lymph node dissection, lymphoscintigraphy, and sentinel lymph node biopsy. This article reviews the concepts, procedures, and effectiveness of these techniques.