Ultrasound examination of regional lymph nodes significantly improves early detection of locoregional metastases during the follow-up of patients with cutaneous melanoma

Abstract

For early diagnosis of in-transit and regional lymph node metastases in cutaneous melanoma, ultrasound scanning is distinctly superior to clinical examination. Controlled follow-up studies are proposed to examine the possible beneficial effects on survival time resulting from the ultrasound examinations of the lymphatic drainage area(s) and regional lymph nodes.