Results, morbidity, and quality of life of melanoma patients undergoing sentinel lymph node staging
PhD ceremony: Mr. M. de Vries, 16.15 uur, Academiegebouw, Broerstraat 5, Groningen
Title: Results, morbidity, and quality of life of melanoma patients undergoing sentinel lymph node staging
Promotor(s): prof. H.J. Hoekstra
Faculty: Medical Sciences
Sentinel lymph node biopsy and additional therapeutic lymph node dissection do not negatively influence the quality of life of patients diagnosed with melanoma. This is important knowledge for approximately 4000 people in the Netherlands who are expected to be diagnosed with melanoma in 2011. The sentinel lymph node biopsy proved to be the strongest prognostic factor for disease free and disease specific survival along with ulceration of the primary melanoma. When the sentinel lymph node contains metastases, additional therapeutic lymph node dissection is recommended. This procedure is associated with a moderately increased risk of short and long term complications. Groin dissections in particular are associated with an increased risk of a slight lymphedema of the affected limb. These dissections had no effect on the quality of life of the patients. Long term results of the sentinel lymph node biopsy showed that patients without metastases have a better disease free and disease specific survival than patients with metastases in the sentinel lymph node (10-year disease specific survival 78% versus 60%).
Last modified: | 13 March 2020 01.11 a.m. |
More news
-
04 July 2025
University of Groningen awards various prizes during Ceremony of Merits
The UG awarded different prizes to excellent researchers and students during the Ceremony of Merits on 4 July 2025.
-
02 July 2025
Relinde Weil reappointed as a member of the Supervisory Board UG
The Minister of Education has reappointed Relinde Weil for a second term as a member of the Supervisory Board of the University of Groningen.