Sentinel lymph node dissection and lymphatic mapping for local subcutaneous recurrence in melanoma treatment: longer-term follow-up results.

Lymphatic mapping and sentinel lymph node dissection (LM/SLND) for surgical staging of cutaneous primary melanoma is currently being evaluated, but the role of these techniques in recurrent (secondary) melanoma is largely unexplored. Our experience with 12 patients indicates the potential usefulness of LM/SLND in the management of locally recurrent melanoma at subcutaneous sites. We have even used mapping to localize the sentinel node draining a subcutaneous local recurrence after previous LM/SLND for primary melanoma. The application of LM/SLND may therefore be extended beyond primary melanoma management as we understand more about the technical issues and appropriate selection of patients.