Evolving treatment strategies in thin cutaneous head and neck melanoma: 1 institution's experience

Abstract

Background: Although existing melanoma literature provides recommendations for thinner lesions (≤1 mm) within a heterogeneous population, a focus on the head and neck group is less pervasive.

Methods: The records of 49 node-negative individuals with thin head and neck melanoma that underwent surgical intervention ± sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy were reviewed.

Results: A significant increased Breslow thickness and mitotic rate, and a trend toward significance in Clark level ≥ IV were shown in patients that underwent an SLN biopsy versus those that did not. The total number of positive biopsies was 2 (5%). In our subset analysis using the modified American Joint Committee on Cancer recommendations by Wong and colleagues, the incidence of positive SLN biopsy would have increased to 11%.

Conclusion: We advocate performing an SLN biopsy in thin head and neck melanomas for primary tumors > 0.75 mm, regardless of "high-risk" features as described by Wong and colleagues.