This RCT by Morton et al. compares sentinel-node biopsy versus nodal observation in patients with melanoma.
It is one of several important outputs from the Multicenter Selective Lymphadenectomy Trial (MSLT), a must know for those interested in melanoma care!
This RCT demonstrates that the staging of intermediate-thickness melanomas, according to the results of sentinel-node biopsy, assists in identifying patients with nodal metastases whose survival can be prolonged by immediate lymphadenectomy.
The final trial report, including 10-year outcomes, further confirms these findings.
Check out the full articles in the New England Journal of Medicine:
Morton DL, Thompson JF, Cochrane AJ, et al. Sentinel-node biopsy or nodal observation in melanoma. N Engl J Med. 2006 Sep 28;355(13):1307-17.
Morton DL, Thompson JF, Cochrane AJ, et al. Final trial report of sentinel-node biopsy versus nodal observation in melanoma. N Engl J Med. 2014 Feb 13;370:599-609.
