The predictive value of the sentinel lymph node biopsy in malignant melanoma of the head and neck in the Kiel patient collective

Introduction Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) has been an integral part of the diagnosis and staging of malignant melanoma (MM) since the end of the last millennium. The indication for a sentinel lymph node biopsy is a tumor thickness of 1.0 mm or more in the absence of locoregional or distant metastases. A sentinel lymph node biopsy can also be performed in the case of a thinner primary tumor (0.75-1.0 mm) if there is an increased risk of occult lymph node metastases, e.g. in the case of an increased mitosis rate, young age or ulceration of the primary tumor. The positivity of a SLN has a significant influence on the subsequent therapy and prognosis. The aim of this retrospective analysis is, among other things, to determine the predictive value of the biopsy against the background of the actual course of the patient's disease. Of particular interest is the frequency of SLNs without metastasis in patients who nevertheless develop metastases in the course of the disease.