Efficacy of an Elective Regional Lymph Node Dissection of 1 to 4 mm Thick Melanomas for Patients 60 Years of Age and Younger

Abstract

This is the first randomized study to prove the value of surgical treatment for clinically occult regional metastases. Patients 60 years or age or younger with intermediate-thickness melanomas, especially with nonulcerative melanoma and those with tumors 1 to 2 mm thick, may benefit from ELND. However, because some patients still are developing distant disease, these results should be considered an interim analysis.