Resumen

VILLARREAL RENEDO, P.M. et al. The current state of treatment for cutaneous melanoma of the head and neck. Rev Esp Cirug Oral y Maxilofac [online]. 2005, vol.27, n.4, pp.183-195. ISSN 2173-9161.

Objective. To demonstrate our experience in the treatment of head and neck cutaneous melanoma and the regional lymph nodes staging, by the sentinel lymph nodes biopsy technique. Methods. We analyze the cases of head and neck cutaneous melanoma treated during the last 3 years. Patients with cervical and/or facial metastases were treated by neck dissection plus parotidectomy if peripheral or intra-parotid nodes were affected. In the patients with primary tumours, a preoperatory biopsy and a whole body extension study were performed. After that, the cervical and facial sentinel lymph nodes and the primary tumour were resected. The defects created were reconstructed by means of local or regional cutaneous flaps. Results. Cutaneous melanoma associates with an excellent long-term prognosis when is detected and treated in a precocious stage. The cervical and facial sentinel lymph nodes biopsy technique is feasible in head and neck cutaneous melanomas. Conclusion. Sentinel node biopsy technique is considered the elective procedure for head and neck cutaneous melanoma regional staging. It improves the effectiveness and sensibility of the histopathologic study, due to the capacity to select the cervical and facial lymphatic nodes with more probability of have metastases.

Palabras clave : Cutaneous melanoma; Head and Neck; Cervical Stage; Sentinel lymph node.

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