Sentinel lymph node biopsy for patients with diagnostically controversial spitzoid melanocytic tumors? Journal Article
| Authors: | Busam, K. J.; Pulitzer, M. |
| Article Title: | Sentinel lymph node biopsy for patients with diagnostically controversial spitzoid melanocytic tumors? |
| Abstract: | The distinction of a Spitz nevus from melanoma can be very difficult. Pathologists may disagree on whether a Spitzoid melanocytic proliferation is benign or malignant, or acknowledge uncertainty about the diagnosis. As long as melanoma is suspected or strongly considered, a clinical management plan is often adopted as if the patient had melanoma, which may include sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy for staging. The findings of the sentinel node may resolve the diagnostic controversy about the primary tumor, but there is also the risk for more diagnostic confusion, uncertainty, and errors. We review the arguments in favor and against SLN biopsy for patients with diagnostically controversial Spitzoid melanocytic tumors, summarize current experience, and illustrate diagnostic pitfalls. Although SLN biopsy provides prognostic information helpful for clinical trials, we caution against performing the procedure as a diagnostic adjunct. © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc. |
| Keywords: | immunohistochemistry; cancer surgery; histopathology; review; cancer adjuvant therapy; cancer patient; cancer staging; cancer diagnosis; diagnostic accuracy; sentinel lymph node; sentinel lymph node biopsy; cytology; diagnostic procedure; tumor localization; melanoma; metastasis; nevus; skin neoplasms; melanocyte; diagnosis, differential; differential diagnosis; analytic method; cancer center; skin tumor; fluorescence in situ hybridization; melanocytic nevus; diagnostic value; experience; diagnostic error; juvenile melanoma; spitz nevus; nevus, epithelioid and spindle cell; muellerian duct |
| Journal Title: | Advances in Anatomic Pathology |
| Volume: | 15 |
| Issue: | 5 |
| ISSN: | 1072-4109 |
| Publisher: | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins |
| Date Published: | 2008-09-01 |
| Start Page: | 253 |
| End Page: | 262 |
| Language: | English |
| DOI: | 10.1097/PAP.0b013e31818323ac |
| PUBMED: | 18724099 |
| PROVIDER: | scopus |
| DOI/URL: | |
| Notes: | --- - "Cited By (since 1996): 23" - "Export Date: 17 November 2011" - "Source: Scopus" |
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