Still debating sentinel lymph node biopsy?

Controversy still surrounds the recommendation for performing sentinel node biopsy (SLNB) in patients with primary melanoma 1mm or greater in thickness, but why? In the absence of widespread, metastatic disease, nodal status is the single most important prognostic factor which determines likelihood of survival. It allows early therapeutic removal of micrometastatic lymph node disease and identifies patients who are eligible for Interferon alfa-2b adjuvant therapy. SLNB is a requirement for current clinical trials.