Malignant melanoma. Role of node dissection reappraised

Two hundred and fifty-nine patients with malignant melanoma have been reviewed. One hundred and fifty of these were determinate. A primary excision and dissection in continuity of the tumor, the intervening lymphatics, and the regional lymph nodes achieved a 5-year survival free of disease for 67.5% of the patients. When the nodes were clinically negative but microscopically positive, 45% survived. An electric discontinuous node dissection offers no better prognosis than does a therapeutic dissection and is not indicated in the primary treatment of malignant melanoma.