Sentinel node biopsy and standard of care for melanoma.

An international panel was convened by the organizing committee of the International Sentinel Node (SN) Society (ISNS) at their meeting in Sydney, Australia, on February 21, 2008, to address questions about SN biopsy (SNB) for melanoma. The panelists subsequently wrote this consensus statement, based on their interpretation of current evidence, as a guide to clinical treatment of patients with clinically localized melanoma. The panel comprised a cross section of expert melanoma surgeons who have contributed data and leadership to investigations of SNB.