TY - JOUR
T1 - Limitations of lymph node ratio, evidence-based benchmarks, and the importance of a thorough lymph node dissection in melanoma
AU - Grotz, Travis E.
AU - Huebner, Marianne
AU - Pockaj, Barbara A.
AU - Perkins, Sarah
AU - Jakub, James W.
PY - 2013
Y1 - 2013
N2 - Background. Stage III melanoma is currently stratified by number of lymph nodes (LNs) involved. However, given the variability of LN retrieval counts we hypothesize that lymph node ratio (LNR) may also provide prognostic information. Methods. Retrospective cohort study of 411 patients with stage III melanoma were divided into two groups based on LNR (\0.15, n = 291 and C0.15, n = 120). Results. In multivariate analysis N stage (N3 vs. N1, hazard ratio [HR] = 2.13, p\0.001), extranodal extension (HR = 1.92, p = 0.002), macrometastasis (HR = 1.70, p = 0.005), non-SLN involvement (HR = 1.65, p = 0.005), risk of N2 disease exceeding 35 % (HR = 1.51, p = 0.03), and LNR C0.15 (HR = 1.46, p = 0.03) were associated with overall survival (OS). LNR failed to further stratify stage III melanoma; however, the number of LNs examined was an independent prognostic factor. Patients who had[8 inguinal,[15 axillary, or[20 cervical LNs examined had fewer same nodal basin recurrences (26 [8 %] vs. 20 [20 %], p = 0.0009) and for N1 patients an improved OS (3-year OS 84 % vs. 76 %, 10-year OS 53 % vs. 34 %, p = 0.06) compared with N1 patients who had fewer LNs examined. Conclusions. LNR is an important prognostic factor in stage III melanoma; however, it was not independent over the current AJCC TNM staging system. Diligence by the surgeon and pathologist to retrieve and examine[8 inguinal,[15 axillary, or[20 cervical LNs is associated with fewer same nodal basin recurrences and improved survival and is critical to reliable prognostication.
AB - Background. Stage III melanoma is currently stratified by number of lymph nodes (LNs) involved. However, given the variability of LN retrieval counts we hypothesize that lymph node ratio (LNR) may also provide prognostic information. Methods. Retrospective cohort study of 411 patients with stage III melanoma were divided into two groups based on LNR (\0.15, n = 291 and C0.15, n = 120). Results. In multivariate analysis N stage (N3 vs. N1, hazard ratio [HR] = 2.13, p\0.001), extranodal extension (HR = 1.92, p = 0.002), macrometastasis (HR = 1.70, p = 0.005), non-SLN involvement (HR = 1.65, p = 0.005), risk of N2 disease exceeding 35 % (HR = 1.51, p = 0.03), and LNR C0.15 (HR = 1.46, p = 0.03) were associated with overall survival (OS). LNR failed to further stratify stage III melanoma; however, the number of LNs examined was an independent prognostic factor. Patients who had[8 inguinal,[15 axillary, or[20 cervical LNs examined had fewer same nodal basin recurrences (26 [8 %] vs. 20 [20 %], p = 0.0009) and for N1 patients an improved OS (3-year OS 84 % vs. 76 %, 10-year OS 53 % vs. 34 %, p = 0.06) compared with N1 patients who had fewer LNs examined. Conclusions. LNR is an important prognostic factor in stage III melanoma; however, it was not independent over the current AJCC TNM staging system. Diligence by the surgeon and pathologist to retrieve and examine[8 inguinal,[15 axillary, or[20 cervical LNs is associated with fewer same nodal basin recurrences and improved survival and is critical to reliable prognostication.
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U2 - 10.1245/s10434-013-3186-0
DO - 10.1245/s10434-013-3186-0
M3 - Article
C2 - 24046102
AN - SCOPUS:84892368130
SN - 1068-9265
VL - 20
SP - 4370
EP - 4377
JO - Annals of surgical oncology
JF - Annals of surgical oncology
IS - 13
ER -