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Publication Detail

Title: Sentinel lymph node biopsy is associated with increased cost in higher risk thin melanoma.

Authors: Aiken, Taylor J; Stahl, Christopher C; Schwartz, Patrick B; Barrett, James; Acher, Alexandra W; Lemaster, Deborah; Leverson, Glen; Weber, Sharon; Neuman, Heather; Abbott, Daniel E

Published In J Surg Oncol, (2021 Jan)

Abstract: INTRODUCTION: National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines recommend that sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) be discussed with patients with thin melanoma at higher risk for lymph node metastasis (T1b or T1a with positive deep margins, lymphovascular invasion, or high mitotic index). We examined the association between SLNB and resource utilization in this cohort. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients that underwent wide local excision for higher risk thin melanomas from 2009 to 2018 at a tertiary care center. Patients who underwent SLNB were compared to those who did not undergo SLNB with regard to resource utilization, including total hospital cost. RESULTS: A total of 70 patients were included in the analysis and 50 patients (71.4%) underwent SLNB. SLNB was associated with increased hospital costs ($6700 vs. $3767; p < .01) and increased operative time (68.5 vs. 36.0 min; p < .01). This cost difference persisted in multivariable regression (p < .01). Of patients who underwent successful SLN mapping, 3 out of 49 patients had a positive SLN (6.1%). The cost to identify a single positive sentinel lymph node (SLN) was $47,906. CONCLUSION: In patients with a higher risk of thin melanoma, SLNB is associated with increased cost despite a low likelihood of SLN positivity. These data better inform patient-provider discussions as the role of SLNB in thin melanoma evolves.

PubMed ID: 32939750 Exiting the NIEHS site

MeSH Terms: Adult; Aged; Cost-Benefit Analysis; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Melanoma/economics*; Melanoma/pathology; Melanoma/surgery; Middle Aged; Prognosis; Retrospective Studies; Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy/economics*; Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy/methods; Sentinel Lymph Node/pathology; Sentinel Lymph Node/surgery*; Skin Neoplasms/economics*; Skin Neoplasms/pathology; Skin Neoplasms/surgery

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