The prognostic role of the sentinel lymph node in clinically node-negative patients with cutaneous melanoma: experience of the Genoa group

The sN is a reliable predictor of regional lymph node status in patients with cutaneous melanoma. Frozen section examination can be useful in avoiding a 'two-stage' operative procedure in patients with tumour-positive sN, but its greatest benefit seems to be restricted to patients with pT3-pT4 primary melanoma.