Sentinel lymph node sites in patients with primary cutaneous melanoma of the legs and feet

• Type: Another Publication in an International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2005

Authors

Vieira, R (Author) Other; Freitas, JD (Author) Other; Cardoso, R (Author) Other; Lourenco, C (Author) Other; Duarte, H (Author) Other; Moreira, A (Author) Other; Oliveira, S (Author) Other; Vieira, F (Author) Other; De Lima, JP (Author) Other; Figueiredo, A (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Skin Cancer

Vol. 20

Pages: 169-172

ISSN: 0871-2549

Publisher: Revismedica

Indexing

Scopus - 0 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-007-E9J

Abstract (EN): The knowledge of lymphatic drainage patterns of the integument is useful to perform selective sentinel lymph node biopsies. The lower limbs appear to have more predictable drainage patterns than other anatomical sites. However, when the tumor is located in the leg or foot, the possible identification of popliteal lymph nodes or interval lymph nodes along the course of lymphatic vessels may generate some difficulties. The aim of the present study was to determine the most frequent sites of regional lymphatic drainage in primary cutaneous melanoma of the legs and feet. Forty-eight patients with primary cutaneous melanoma of the legs or feet were submitted to lymphoscintigraphy by intradermal injection of 111 MBq of 99mTc-Nanocoll at the tumour site. The sentinel lymph nodes were identified and this procedure was followed by selective sentinel lymph node biopsy. The inguinal region can be considered a highly predictable site of drainage from melanomas located in the legs or feet, while the presence of popliteal sentinel lymph nodes is inconstant and unpredictable.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific