1092 Impact Of MSLT-II on Lymph Node Clearance Surgery in A Tertiary Plastic Surgery Centre

Aim Cutaneous malignant melanoma is a significant public health challenge in the United Kingdom. Wide local excision with Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy (SLNB) is the current standard of treatment for most lesions. Some patients with positive SLNB would routinely undergo locoregional Lymph Node Clearance (LNC). Results of the Multicenter Selective Lymphadenectomy Trial II (MSLT-II) published in August 2017 challenged this approach, showing no melanoma specific survival benefit, but significant morbidity associated with routine LNC. Our study aims to show a change in practice at a tertiary plastic surgical referral centre in response to these results. Method We retrospectively reviewed our prospectively maintained database for all LNCs performed for cutaneous, non-head and neck malignant melanoma using the search terms ‘clearance’ and ‘dissection’ between 2015 and 2019. Results We performed 128 axillary and groin LNCs for cutaneous malignant melanoma 2015-2019. The range of LNCs per year varied from 38 in 2015 to 10 in 2019 (mean 25.6, median 28). The total number of LNCs, as well as LNCs performed following positive SLNB decreased after August 2017. Conclusions The data shows that our centre acknowledged evidence and reduced the number of LNCs performed after publication of MSLT-II. We expect that the number of avoided LNCs has saved significant resources due to reduced length of stay, and avoided our patient’s significant morbidity, including seromas, infections and lymphoedema. We recommend all skin cancer treatment centres to follow the evidence in order to provide excellent care and save resources.

Survival of sentinel node biopsy versus observation in intermediate-thickness melanoma: A Dutch population-based study

Background The Multicenter Selective Lymphadenectomy Trial (MSLT-1) comparing survival after a sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) versus nodal observation in melanoma patients did not show a significant benefit favoring SLNB. However, in subgroup analyses melanoma-specific survival among patients with nodal metastases seemed better. Aim To evaluate the association of performing a SLNB with overall survival in intermediate thickness melanoma patients in a Dutch population-based daily clinical setting. Methods Survival, excess mortality adjusted for age, gender, Breslow-thickness, ulceration, histological subtype, location, co-morbidity and socioeconomic status were calculated in a population of 1,989 patients diagnosed with malignant cutaneous melanoma (1.2–3.5 mm) on the trunk or limb between 2000–2016 in ten hospitals in the South East area, The Netherlands. Results A SLNB was performed in 51% of the patients (n = 1008). Ten-year overall survival after SLNB was 75% (95%CI, 71%-78%) compared to 61% (95%CI 57%-64%) following observation. After adjustment for risk factors, a lower risk on death (HR = 0.80, 95%CI 0.66–0.96) was found after SLNB compared to observation only. Conclusions SLNB in patients with intermediate-thickness melanoma on trunk or limb resulted in a 14% absolute and significant 10-year survival difference compared to those without SLNB.

Recent Evolution in the Management of Lymph Node Metastases in Melanoma

Introduction. Based upon two large randomized international clinical trials (German Dermatologic Cooperative Oncology Group (DeCOG-SLT) and Multicenter Selective Lymphadenectomy Trial II (MSLT-II)) which were published in 2016 and 2017, respectively, active surveillance has been demonstrated to have equivalent survival outcomes to completion lymphadenectomy (CLND) for a subset of patients who have microscopic lymph node disease. In this study, we examined the changes in national practice patterns regarding the utilization of CLND after positive sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB). Methods. Using the National Cancer Database, we examined CLND utilization in SLN-positive patients diagnosed with melanoma between 2012 and 2016. A hierarchal logistical regression model with hospital-level random intercepts was constructed to examine the factors associated with SLNB followed by observation vs. SLNB with CLND. Results. Of the 148,982 patients identified, 43% (n = 63,358) underwent SLNB, and 10.3% (n = 6,551) had a SLNB with microscopic disease. CLND was performed for 57% (n = 2,817) of these patients. Patients were more likely to undergo CLND if they were < 55 years of age (OR, 0.687; p = <0.0001), ages 56 - 65 (OR, 0.886; p = 0.0237), Charlson Deyo Score = 0 (OR, 0.859; p = 0.0437), or were diagnosed with melanoma in 2012 (OR, 0.794, p = <0.0001). Conclusions. We found the utilization of CLND among patients with microscopic nodal melanoma to be significantly lower in 2016 compared to 2012. Younger age, lack of comorbidities, and primary tumor location on the trunk or head/neck were associated with higher utilization of CLND.

Therapeutic value of selective lymphadenectomy in interval debulking surgery for stage IIIc and IV epithelial ovarian cancer

ObjectiveThe role of selective lymphadenectomy at the time of interval debulking surgery in patients with advanced ovarian cancer remains a topic of debate. This study aimed to evaluate the value of selective lymphadenectomy during interval debulking surgery in patients with radiologic evidence of lymph node metastasis at initial diagnosis that ultimately become negative on imaging after neoadjuvant chemotherapy.MethodsA retrospective analysis including patients with stage IIIC–IV epithelial ovarian cancer and suspicious pelvic or para-aortic lymph node metastasis by imaging at diagnosis that resolved after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The study was conducted from January 1996 to June 2016 with R0 interval debulking surgery. The patients with disease progression after neoadjuvant chemotherapy were excluded. Suspicious metastatic lymph nodes at initial diagnosis by computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging were excised by selective lymphadenectomy. Survival curves were constructed by the Kaplan-Meier method, and a multivariate analysis was performed using Cox regression.ResultsThere were a total of 330 patients included in the analysis. Selective lymphadenectomy of suspicious nodes (Group 1) was performed in 145 patients. Systematic lymphadenectomy (Group 2) was performed in 118 patients. Sixty-seven patients did not undergo lymphadenectomy (Group 3). There were no significant differences in clinicopathologic features among the groups. Median progression-free survival was 28, 30.5, and 22 months in Groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively (log-rank, p=0.049). No-lymphadenectomy was an independent factor affecting progression-free survival (Cox analysis, HR=1.729, 95% CI 1.213 to 2.464, p=0.002), with no difference between Groups 1 and 2 (Cox analysis, HR=1.097, 95% CI 0.815 to 1.478, p=0.541). Median overall survival was 50, 59, and 57 months in Groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively (Cox analysis, p=0.566). Patients who underwent selective lymphadenectomy had lower 1-year frequencies of lower extremity lymphedema and lymphocysts than those with systematic lymphadenectomy (6.2% vs 33.1%, p<0.001, and 6.2 % vs 27.1%, p<0.001, respectively).ConclusionsExtent of lymphadenectomy (systematic or selective) had no significant impact on progression-free survival or overall survival. In addition, the risks of lower extremity lymphedema and lymphocysts were lower in patients who underwent selective lymphadenectomy.

Regional Node Distribution in Papillary Thyroid Cancer with Microscopic Metastasis

Background. Optimal neck lymphadenectomy in patients with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) and microscopic lymph node metastasis needs to be defined in order to aid surgeons in their decision about the best way to proceed in these cases.Methods. Patients who underwent total thyroidectomy and lymphadenectomy at levels IIa to VI were divided into two groups: Group 1 (G1) with macroscopic metastasis detected before surgery and Group 2 (G2) with microscopic metastasis detected in sentinel node during surgery. Odds ratio (OR) was computed for age, sex, tumor size, multicentricity, capsular invasion, vascular/lymphatic permeation, and nodes with metastasis.Results. Primary tumor size was (G1 versus G2, respectively) 3.8 cm versus 1.98 cm (P<0.001); only lymphatic permeation was correlated to an increase in metastasis in lymph nodes 65.4% versus 25% (OR=5.6, p<0.001); metastatic frequency by region was IIa 18.5% versus 1.5%, III 24.3% versus 9.9%, IV 17.4% versus 18.1%, and VI 25.9% versus 71,2%. Metastasis to level V was found only in G1.Conclusion. Selective lymphadenectomy at levels III, IV, and VI is optimal for PTC patients without preoperative evidence of lymph node disease, but who present with lymph node microscopic metastasis in an intraoperative assessment.

Multiple Myeloma Presenting as a Parotid Mass

Objective: To present the case of a patient with left facial swelling as the primary manifestation of Multiple Myeloma, and discuss the surgical management, diagnostic dilemma, and subsequent medical management done for this unusual presentation. Methods: Design: Case Report Setting: Tertiary Government Hospital Patient: One (1) Results: A 55-year old man with an enlarging left pre-auricular mass of one (1) year duration underwent superficial parotidectomy with facial nerve preservation and selective lymphadenectomy for pleomorphic adenoma based on initial clinical and cytologic findings. Histopathologic examination showed plasmacytoid proliferation, and subsequent work-ups finally revealed Multiple Myeloma. Conclusion: Emphasized in this case report is the thorough work-up and targeted therapy needed for the timely diagnosis and treatment of a patient with Multiple Myeloma. Keywords: Multiple myeloma, plasmacytoma, parotid gland, pleomorphic adenoma