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Broadcast:
Wide Excision and Sentinel Lymph Node Mapping for Melanoma
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Melanoma cases in the United States are increasing at a higher rate than most cancers. While it currently accounts for approximately four percent of skin cancers, it causes the most skin cancer deaths. The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2006 there will be 62,190 new cases of melanoma in the United States and about 7,910 people will die of this disease.
On November 7 at 5 p.m. EST, Edward Levine, M.D., professor of surgical oncology at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, and colleagues will perform a wide excision and sentinel lymph node mapping procedure for a melanoma during a live webcast. Surgical oncologists John Stewart, M.D. and Perry Shen, M.D. will moderate the webcast and assist with the surgery.
About the Procedure
The incidence of melanoma is increasing at a rate higher than any other cancer. While it currently accounts for approximately four percent of skin cancers, it causes the most skin cancer deaths. The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2006 there will be 62,190 new cases of melanoma in the United States and about 7,910 people will die of this disease.
On November 7 at 5 p.m. EST, Edward Levine, M.D., professor of surgical oncology at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, and colleagues will perform a wide excision and sentinel lymph node mapping procedure for a melanoma during a live webcast. Surgical oncologists John Stewart, M.D. and Perry Shen, M.D. will moderate the webcast and assist with the surgery.
The sentinel node is the first regional node in the lymphatic drainage pathway from the primary tumor. The tumor status of the sentinel node determines the likelihood of whether the disease has spread to the remaining lymph nodes.
Sentinel lymph node mapping improves the staging of the disease and accuracy of the prognosis. It also serves as a guide for determining what additional therapies would be most effective after surgery.
Melanoma Stage Classification
Stage I and II: Localized Disease
Stage III: Regional Metastasis
Stage IV: Distant Metastasis
Five-Year Survival Rates
Stage I: 90% to 95%
Stage II: 45% to 78%
Stage III: 28% to 70%
Stage IV: 18%
Surgical oncologists and colleagues at the Comprehensive Cancer Center at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center are actively evaluating treatment options, including a study evaluating the need for completion of a node dissection after a sentinel lymph node has been found to harbor a malignancy.
Over the past 30 years, researchers have achieved remarkable insights into the causes of melanoma. “If we can improve the survival rates and quality of life for persons suffering from this devastating tumor, we will have made a significant contribution to the advancement of melanoma treatment,” Levine said.
Participants
Featuring:
Edward Levine, MD
Perry Shen, MD
John Stewart, MD
