Predictors for Use of Sentinel Node Biopsy and the Association with Improved Survival in Melanoma Patients Who Have Nodal Staging

Background It is unknown how many patients with localized melanoma undergo sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) or if there is a therapeutic effect from performing nodal staging. We evaluated predictors for SLNB use and assessed if there was an association with improved survival in melanoma patients who had SLNB.