BACKGROUND: Sentinel lymph node (SLN) status is the strongest predictor of survival in adult melanoma. However, the prognostic value of SLN status in children and adolescents with melanoma is unknown. METHODS: Records of 327 patients aged 12 to 86 years undergoing SLN biopsy for melanoma or other melanocytic lesions were reviewed. A literature search identified additional patients younger than 21 years undergoing SLN biopsy for the same indications and these patients were combined with our series for meta-analysis. RESULTS: Sentinel lymph node metastases were found in 8 (40%) of 20 patients aged 12 to 20 years compared with 55 (18%) of 307 adults (P < .05). Median follow-up was 35 and 17 months for the groups, respectively. Sentinel lymph node-positive pediatric patients did not recur, whereas 14 (25%) adults recurred within this period. Of the 55 adults, 5 (9.1%) have died of disease. Of the combined SLN-positive children and adolescents from the literature (total n = 25), only a single (4%) child recurred at 6 months. The difference in survival for adult and pediatric patients was significant. CONCLUSION: Pediatric patients have a higher incidence of SLN metastases than adults yet have a lower incidence of recurrence. Sentinel lymph node status does not predict early recurrence in pediatric patients with melanoma or atypical Spitz nevi.
BACKGROUND: Sentinel lymph node (SLN) status is the strongest predictor of survival in adult melanoma. However, the prognostic value of SLN status in children and adolescents with melanoma is unknown. METHODS: Records of 327 patients aged 12 to 86 years undergoing SLN biopsy for melanoma or other melanocytic lesions were reviewed. A literature search identified additional patients younger than 21 years undergoing SLN biopsy for the same indications and these patients were combined with our series for meta-analysis. RESULTS: Sentinel lymph node metastases were found in 8 (40%) of 20 patients aged 12 to 20 years compared with 55 (18%) of 307 adults (P < .05). Median follow-up was 35 and 17 months for the groups, respectively. Sentinel lymph node-positive pediatric patients did not recur, whereas 14 (25%) adults recurred within this period. Of the 55 adults, 5 (9.1%) have died of disease. Of the combined SLN-positive children and adolescents from the literature (total n = 25), only a single (4%) child recurred at 6 months. The difference in survival for adult and pediatric patients was significant. CONCLUSION: Pediatric patients have a higher incidence of SLN metastases than adults yet have a lower incidence of recurrence. Sentinel lymph node status does not predict early recurrence in pediatric patients with melanoma or atypical Spitz nevi.
Authors: Lisa A Kottschade; Travis E Grotz; Roxana S Dronca; Diva R Salomao; Jose S Pulido; Nabil Wasif; James W Jakub; Sanjay P Bagaria; Riten Kumar; Judith S Kaur; Shane Y Morita; Steven L Moran; Jesse T Nguyen; Emily C Nguyen; Jennifer L Hand; Lori A Erickson; Jerry D Brewer; Christian L Baum; Robert C Miller; David L Swanson; Val Lowe; Svetomir N Markovic Journal: Am J Clin Oncol Date: 2014-12 Impact factor: 2.339
Authors: K T Huynh; Y Takei; C Kuo; R A Scolyer; R Murali; K Chong; L Takeshima; M-S Sim; D L Morton; R R Turner; J F Thompson; D S B Hoon Journal: Br J Dermatol Date: 2012-05-18 Impact factor: 9.302
Authors: Dale Han; Jonathan S Zager; Gang Han; Suroosh S Marzban; Christopher A Puleo; Amod A Sarnaik; Damon Reed; Jane L Messina; Vernon K Sondak Journal: Ann Surg Oncol Date: 2012-08-03 Impact factor: 5.344
Authors: Jina Kim; Zhifei Sun; Brian C Gulack; Mohamed A Adam; Paul J Mosca; Henry E Rice; Elisabeth T Tracy Journal: J Pediatr Surg Date: 2016-03-04 Impact factor: 2.545