[Prophylactic lymph node excision in cutaneous melanomas of the lower limbs]

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Surgical Oncology
• Dermatology

Background:

• Skin melanoma of the feet and legs presents a risk of regional metastatic spreading.
• Accurate assessment of metastatic risk is crucial for treatment planning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of prophylactic lymphadenectomy on survival in patients with lower limb skin melanoma.
• To establish indications and discuss the rationale for the extent of preventive surgery.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of 67 cases of skin melanoma affecting the feet and legs.
• Retrospective review of patient data, focusing on those who underwent prophylactic lymphadenectomy.

Main Results:

• A significant improvement in five-year survival, exceeding 30%, was observed in patients who had prophylactic lymphadenectomy.
• The study identified specific indications for preventive surgical intervention.

Conclusions:

• Prophylactic lymphadenectomy is associated with improved survival outcomes for select patients with lower limb skin melanoma.
• The findings support the consideration of preventive surgery to mitigate risks of metastatic spreading.