Sentinel-Node Biopsy or Nodal Observation in Melanoma

We evaluated the contribution of sentinel-node biopsy to outcomes in patients with newly diagnosed melanoma.

Patients with a primary cutaneous melanoma were randomly assigned to wide excision and postoperative observation of regional lymph nodes with lymphadenectomy if nodal relapse occurred, or to wide excision and sentinel-node biopsy with immediate lymphadenectomy if nodal micrometastases were detected on biopsy.