Review of the role of sentinel node biopsy in cutaneous head and neck melanoma

Sentinel node biopsy (SNB) is recommended for selected melanoma patients in many parts of the world. This review examines the evidence surrounding the accuracy and prognostic value of SNB and completion neck dissection in head and neck melanoma. Sentinel nodes were identified in an average of 94.7% of head and neck cases compared with 95.3–100% in all melanoma cases. More false‐negative sentinel nodes were found in head and neck cases. A positive sentinel node was associated with both lower disease‐free survival (53.4 versus 83.2%) and overall survival (40 versus 84%). We conclude that SNB should be offered to all patients with intermediate and high‐risk melanomas in the head and neck area. To date, evidence does not exist to demonstrate the safety of avoiding completion lymph node dissection in sentinel node‐positive patients with head and neck melanoma.