LYMPHATIC MAPPING AND SELECTIVE LYMPHADENECTOMY AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO ELECTIVE LYMPH-NODE DISSECTION IN PATIENTS WITH MALIGNANT-MELANOMA

This article reviews the use of selective lymphadenectomy, otherwise k nown as sentinel lymph node biopsy, as a clinical alternative in patie nts with malignant melanoma. This represents a compromise between the two traditional treatment modalities, elective lymph node dissection o r observation of the regional nodal basin followed by therapeutic lymp h node dissection once disease becomes clinically apparent.