Anatomy of the cutaneous lymphatic system of the trunk: a clinico-anatomical study of 90 cutaneous melanomas

Purpose The cutaneous lymphatic system of the trunk is a complex network, the anatomical knowledge of which remains unclear. The lymphatic system plays a major role in the dissemination of lymphophilic cancers like melanomas. The aim of this study was to improve our knowledge, optimize the care of patients with cutaneous tumors of the trunk, and to use our clinical experience of the topography of pathologic lymph nodes related to cutaneous melanomas and depicted by lymphoscintigraphy.