Prognosis in Patients With Sentinel Node–Positive Melanoma Is Accurately Defined by the Combined Rotterdam Tumor Load and Dewar Topography Criteria

Abstract

Patients with metastases < 0.1 mm, especially when present in the subcapsular area only, may be overtreated by a routine CLND and have an MSS that is indistinguishable from that of SN-negative patients. Thus the RDC criteria provide a rational basis for decision making in the absence of conclusions provided by randomized controlled trials.