Surgical Management of Patients with Lymph Node Metastases from Cutaneous Melanoma of the Trunk or Extremities

Patient Population

Adult patients with truncal or extremity cutaneous melanoma with nodal metastases.

Intended Guideline Users

Clinicians and healthcare providers involved in the management or referral of patients with nodal metastases from truncal or extremity cutaneous melanoma.

Research Question(s)

1. What is the optimal surgical management of patients with positive sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) from cutaneous melanoma of the trunk or extremities with respect to:
   
   1. Factors for predicting non-sentinel lymph node (NSLN) positivity
   2. Completion lymph node dissection (CLND) at the time of SLN positivity versus observation
   3. Extent of nodal dissection
2. What is the optimal surgical management of patients with biopsy-proven clinically palpable or biopsy-proven radiologically detected lymph nodes from cutaneous melanoma of the trunk or extremities with respect to extent of nodal dissection