Relevance of micrometastases detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction for melanoma recurrence: systematic review and meta-analysis

Silva, Allisson Monteiro da; Oliveira Filho, Renato Santos de; Ferreira, Lydia Masako; Saconato, Humberto

doi:10.1590/S1516-31802003000100006

Abstracts

CONTEXT: Cutaneous melanoma presents significant morbidity and mortality. Nowadays, about 90% of them are diagnosed by clinical examination and most are localized melanomas. Sentinel node biopsy has brought about a new and interesting approach towards localized cutaneous melanoma. The meaning of micrometastases in sentinel nodes diagnosed by the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction is not well established. OBJECTIVE: To define the real value of micrometastases diagnosed by the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction in relation to melanoma recurrence. METHODS: Systematic literature review and meta-analysis. The Cochrane Library, Medline, Embase and Lilacs were the databases searched. We used the following key words: sentinel node and melanoma; sentinel node and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction; melanoma and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Cohort studies enrolling localized cutaneous melanoma patients who underwent sentinel node biopsy were selected. Sentinel node evaluations included hematoxylin and eosin, immunohistochemistry and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Out of the 1,542 studies evaluated, four were eligible. The four studies, when combined, were statistically homogeneous. The sample totaled 450 patients grouped as follows: 163 with a sentinel node negative to hematoxylin eosin and immunohistochemistry and positive to the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction; 192 with a sentinel node negative to hematoxylin eosin, immunohistochemistry and the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and 95 patients with a sentinel node positive to hematoxylin eosin and/or immunohistochemistry. We analyzed the first two groups. The meta-analysis for the random model showed an increased effect from a positive reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction on the recurrence rate. A similar result occurred in the meta-analysis for the fixed effect model. CONCLUSION: Patients with a positive reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction had a greater recurrence rate than those with a negative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. This suggests an important role for the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction in sentinel node examinations. In view of the small sample, a clinical trial could better evaluate this question.

Reverse transcriptase; Polymerase chain reaction; Sentinel node; Melanoma; Micrometastasis; Immunohistochemistry

CONTEXTO: O melanoma cutâneo apresenta importante morbidade e mortalidade. A incidência de melanoma cutâneo vem aumentando em todo o mundo nos últimos 50 anos. Atualmente, cerca de 90% dos casos são diagnosticados pelo exame clínico e, na maioria das vezes, ainda na forma de melanoma localizado. A biópsia de linfonodo sentinela trouxe uma nova e interessante abordagem para o melanoma cutâneo localizado. OBJETIVO: Definir o real valor de micrometástases diagnosticadas em linfonodo sentinela através da técnica de transcriptase reversa associada à reação de polimerização em cadeia (reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, PCR) na recorrência do melanoma cutâneo. MÉTODOS: Realizamos uma revisão sistemática da literatura com metanálise. Cochrane Library, Medline, Embase e Lilacs foram os bancos de dados pesquisados. Foram usadas as seguintes palavras-chave: sentinel node and melanoma, sentinel node and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, melanoma and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Fez-se seleção de estudos prognósticos coorte, abrangendo pacientes portadores de melanoma cutâneo submetidos a biópsia de linfonodo sentinela. O exame do linfonodo sentinela incluiu análise histopatológica por hematoxilina e eosina, imunohistoquímica e reação de polimerase em cadeia. Foi realizada metanálise através do software RevMan (Review Manager 4.1-c; Cochrane Collaboration) com avaliação de odds ratio e risco relativo, utilizando modelo de efeito fixo e randômico. RESULTADOS: Entre 1.542 estudos identificados, quatro foram elegíveis para a revisão sistemática. Os quatro estudos combinados foram estatisticamente homogêneos (c2 = 2,66, p = 0,44 para odds ratio e c2 = 3,17, p = 0,37 para risco relativo). A casuística totalizou 450 pacientes. Esses pacientes foram distribuídos em três grupos: 163 com linfonodo sentinela negativo para hematoxilina-eosina e imunohistoquímica, sendo a reação de polimerase em cadeia positiva; 192 com linfonodo sentinela negativo para hematoxilina-eosina, imunohistoquímica e a reação de polimerase em cadeia e 95 com linfonodo sentinela positivo para hematoxilina-eosina e ou imunohistoquímica. Apenas os dois primeiros grupos foram objetos de nossa análise. A metanálise utilizando modelo de efeito randômico mostrou aumento de recorrência para o grupo com a reação de polimerase em cadeia positiva (odds ratio = 3,0 [1.16, 7.78] e risco relativo = 2.55 [1.06, 6.12]). Resultado similar foi encontrado na metanálise utilizando modelo de efeito fixo (odds ratio = 3,64 [1.51, 8.76] e risco relativo = 3.16 [1.39, 7.19]). CONCLUSÃO: Pacientes com reação de polimerase em cadeia positiva tiveram uma taxa de recorrência maior que aqueles com reação de polimerase em cadeia negativa. Esse resultado sugere um importante papel da reação de polimerase em cadeia no exame do linfonodo sentinela. Considerando-se a pequena casuística, um estudo clínico prospectivo poderia avaliar melhor esta questão.

Reação de polimerase em cadeia; Linfonodo; Sentinela; Melanoma; Micrometástases; Imunohistoquímica

REVIEW ARTICLE

Relevance of micrometastases detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction for melanoma recurrence: systematic review and meta-analysis

Allisson Monteiro da Silva; Renato Santos de Oliveira Filho; Lydia Masako Ferreira; Humberto Saconato

Universidade Federal de São Paulo/Escola Paulista de Medicina, São Paulo, Brazil

^{Correspondence} Correspondence to Renato Santos de Oliveira Filho Av Rebouças, 3084 - Cj. 14 - Pinheiros São Paulo/SP - Brasil - CEP 05402-600 Tel. (+55 11) 3031-7681 / 3814-8185 Fax (+55 11) 3032-0763 E-mail: renato.dcir@epm.br

ABSTRACT

CONTEXT: Cutaneous melanoma presents significant morbidity and mortality. Nowadays, about 90% of them are diagnosed by clinical examination and most are localized melanomas. Sentinel node biopsy has brought about a new and interesting approach towards localized cutaneous melanoma. The meaning of micrometastases in sentinel nodes diagnosed by the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction is not well established.

OBJECTIVE: To define the real value of micrometastases diagnosed by the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction in relation to melanoma recurrence.

METHODS: Systematic literature review and meta-analysis. The Cochrane Library, Medline, Embase and Lilacs were the databases searched. We used the following key words: sentinel node and melanoma; sentinel node and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction; melanoma and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Cohort studies enrolling localized cutaneous melanoma patients who underwent sentinel node biopsy were selected. Sentinel node evaluations included hematoxylin and eosin, immunohistochemistry and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS: Out of the 1,542 studies evaluated, four were eligible. The four studies, when combined, were statistically homogeneous. The sample totaled 450 patients grouped as follows: 163 with a sentinel node negative to hematoxylin eosin and immunohistochemistry and positive to the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction; 192 with a sentinel node negative to hematoxylin eosin, immunohistochemistry and the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and 95 patients with a sentinel node positive to hematoxylin eosin and/or immunohistochemistry. We analyzed the first two groups. The meta-analysis for the random model showed an increased effect from a positive reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction on the recurrence rate. A similar result occurred in the meta-analysis for the fixed effect model.

CONCLUSION: Patients with a positive reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction had a greater recurrence rate than those with a negative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. This suggests an important role for the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction in sentinel node examinations. In view of the small sample, a clinical trial could better evaluate this question.

Keywords: Reverse transcriptase. Polymerase chain reaction. Sentinel node. Melanoma. Micrometastasis. Immunohistochemistry.

RESUMO

CONTEXTO: O melanoma cutâneo apresenta importante morbidade e mortalidade. A incidência de melanoma cutâneo vem aumentando em todo o mundo nos últimos 50 anos. Atualmente, cerca de 90% dos casos são diagnosticados pelo exame clínico e, na maioria das vezes, ainda na forma de melanoma localizado. A biópsia de linfonodo sentinela trouxe uma nova e interessante abordagem para o melanoma cutâneo localizado.

OBJETIVO: Definir o real valor de micrometástases diagnosticadas em linfonodo sentinela através da técnica de transcriptase reversa associada à reação de polimerização em cadeia (reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, PCR) na recorrência do melanoma cutâneo.

MÉTODOS: Realizamos uma revisão sistemática da literatura com metanálise. Cochrane Library, Medline, Embase e Lilacs foram os bancos de dados pesquisados. Foram usadas as seguintes palavras-chave: sentinel node and melanoma, sentinel node and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, melanoma and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Fez-se seleção de estudos prognósticos coorte, abrangendo pacientes portadores de melanoma cutâneo submetidos a biópsia de linfonodo sentinela. O exame do linfonodo sentinela incluiu análise histopatológica por hematoxilina e eosina, imunohistoquímica e reação de polimerase em cadeia. Foi realizada metanálise através do software RevMan (Review Manager 4.1-c; Cochrane Collaboration) com avaliação de odds ratio e risco relativo, utilizando modelo de efeito fixo e randômico.

RESULTADOS: Entre 1.542 estudos identificados, quatro foram elegíveis para a revisão sistemática. Os quatro estudos combinados foram estatisticamente homogêneos (c2 = 2,66, p = 0,44 para odds ratio e c2 = 3,17, p = 0,37 para risco relativo). A casuística totalizou 450 pacientes. Esses pacientes foram distribuídos em três grupos: 163 com linfonodo sentinela negativo para hematoxilina-eosina e imunohistoquímica, sendo a reação de polimerase em cadeia positiva; 192 com linfonodo sentinela negativo para hematoxilina-eosina, imunohistoquímica e a reação de polimerase em cadeia e 95 com linfonodo sentinela positivo para hematoxilina-eosina e ou imunohistoquímica. Apenas os dois primeiros grupos foram objetos de nossa análise. A metanálise utilizando modelo de efeito randômico mostrou aumento de recorrência para o grupo com a reação de polimerase em cadeia positiva (odds ratio = 3,0 [1.16, 7.78] e risco relativo = 2.55 [1.06, 6.12]). Resultado similar foi encontrado na metanálise utilizando modelo de efeito fixo (odds ratio = 3,64 [1.51, 8.76] e risco relativo = 3.16 [1.39, 7.19]).

CONCLUSÃO: Pacientes com reação de polimerase em cadeia positiva tiveram uma taxa de recorrência maior que aqueles com reação de polimerase em cadeia negativa. Esse resultado sugere um importante papel da reação de polimerase em cadeia no exame do linfonodo sentinela. Considerando-se a pequena casuística, um estudo clínico prospectivo poderia avaliar melhor esta questão.

Palavras-chaves: Reação de polimerase em cadeia. Linfonodo. Sentinela. Melanoma. Micrometástases. Imunohistoquímica.

INTRODUCTION

Cutaneous melanoma presents significant morbidity and mortality. Its incidence has been increasing all over the world over the last 50 years. Nowadays, about 90% of them are diagnosed by clinical examination and most of them are localized melanomas.¹ Thus, more attention has been paid to this kind of patient.

Sentinel node biopsy has brought about a new and interesting approach towards localized cutaneous melanoma.² The sentinel node represents the pathological status of the lymphatic basin. Currently, it is known that the sentinel node status is the most important prognostic factor for localized cutaneous melanoma.³ The detection of micrometastases at sentinel nodes improves the accuracy of staging, and provides valuable prognostic information for guiding subsequent treatment.^4-7

In the beginning, sentinel node evaluations was done via hematoxylin and eosin on serial sections. Later on, immunohistochemical studies (HMB-45 and S-100 protein) were added, improving the diagnosis of micrometastases.⁸ Recently, methods based on the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction have been used for diagnosing micrometastases.^9,10

It is believed that micrometastases detected by the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction are really metastases with biological significance.^11-13 However, the relevance of micrometastases detected by the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction in relation to melanoma recurrence is not well established yet. To address this interesting question, we systematically reviewed the literature and performed a meta-analysis.

METHODS

We used the following key words for our systematic literature review: melanoma and sentinel node; melanoma and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction; and sentinel node and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. The Cochrane Library, Medline, Embase and Lilacs were the databases used. We hand-searched all the bibliographies of the reports, papers and textbooks that we reviewed, without limiting dates or languages.

We selected cohort studies that evaluated patients with localized cutaneous melanoma who underwent sentinel node biopsy. Studies were initially selected by the title and abstract information, and then submitted to two reviewers. Sentinel node biopsies were performed using preoperative lymphoscintigraphy, intraoperative gamma probe detection and/or lymphatic mapping. The inclusion criteria can be seen in Table 1. Two groups were compared: a) patients with a sentinel node negative to hematoxylin and eosin, immunohistochemistry and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction; b) patients with a sentinel node negative to hematoxylin and eosin and immunohistochemistry, but positive to the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. The main variable focused on was melanoma recurrence. The relative risk was calculated using the Review Manager (RevMan) software, considering not only random effects¹⁴ but also fixed effect models.^15-18

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RESULTS

The studies selected for the systematic literature review are described in Table 2. The electronic search identified 1,542 references in all databases. Fifteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Eleven studies were excluded because the follow-up was less than 12 months or there was insufficient data on the recurrence rate. Thus, four studies were eligible.^19-22 When the four studies were pooled, it could be demonstrated that there was statistical homogeneity in terms of the effect (X² = 3.17, p = 0.37) (confidence interval = 95%). The sample size of the four included studies totaled 450 patients. These patients were grouped as follows: 163 had negative hematoxylin and eosin, negative immunohistochemistry and a positive reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction; 192 had negative hematoxylin and eosin, negative immunohistochemistry and a negative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and 95 patients had a positive sentinel node upon pathological examination (hematoxylin and eosin and/or immunohistochemistry). Only the first two groups were objects of our analysis.

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The meta-analyses for random model effect showed an increased recurrence rate caused by a positive reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (relative risk = 2.55 [1.06, 6.12]) (Figure 1). The same was observed in meta-analyses using fixed model effect (relative risk = 3.16 [1.39, 7.19]) (Figure 2).

DISCUSSION

Sentinel node biopsy allows for more accurate prognostic information for patients with localized cutaneous melanoma. The sentinel node status identifies homogeneous patient populations for clinical trials and selects patients for lymph node dissection decisions and/or adjuvant therapy (interferon alpha-2b). Optimizing the diagnosis of the micrometastasis is just as important as picking out the correct sentinel node (using an appropriate technique). Molecular techniques such as the polymerase chain reaction may be more sensitive than immunohistology, which is more sensitive than histology (hematoxylin and eosin), and the latter is more sensitive than clinical inspection.^23,24 The fact that sentinel node positivity is the strongest prognostic factor for recurrence of localized cutaneous melanoma gives importance to micrometastases. Nevertheless, the real value of micrometastases diagnosed by the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction in relation to melanoma recurrence remains an unresolved question. That is why we conducted this systematic revision.

Molecular diagnosis of micrometastases by the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction has two advantages, at least when compared with immunohistochemistry. First, it has more sensitivity. Second, it is cheaper and quicker.²⁵ Some authors question the specificity of the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, emphasizing the risk of false positives caused by nevi cells, for example. This problem can be minimized using more than one mRNA (messenger ribonucleic acid) examination, like mRNA-Tyrosinase, mRNA-MART-1 (melanoma antigen recognized by T cells-1) and mRNA-MAGE III (melanoma antigen gene family 3). A multi-institutional study the "Sunbelt Melanoma Trial" has addressed issues regarding the relative clinical significance of microscopic nodal disease determined by histology, immunohistopathology and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis, using four molecular markers, MAGE III, MART-1, GP 100 (glycoprotein 100) and Tyrosinase.²⁶

In our study, there was recurrence in twelve out of the 192 reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction-negative patients. Ten of them were in one single study, which had a higher percentage of patients (65%) with a Breslow thickness of more than 1.5 mm, and therefore at higher risk of nodal metastasis.

The combined studies were statistically homogenous and meta-analysis showed that melanoma recurrence was significantly influenced by the presence of micrometastases diagnosed by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction alone. Thus, the detection of micrometastases by the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction added prognostic significance to the histopathology examination. This result occurred not only when a random effect model was used but also with fixed effect models.

One limitation of this study is a possible bias in the meta-analysis due the small number of patients included in the eligible studies (450 patients). However, the concordance of the results from different analyses minimizes such limitation.

CONCLUSION

According to our data, patients with a positive reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction have more recurrence than those with a negative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, considering all the patients with negative histology and immunopathology evaluations. This suggests an important role for the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction in sentinel node examinations. In view of the small sample, a clinical trial could better evaluate and address this question. It is suggested that minute tumor deposits from micrometastases in sentinel nodes have prognostic significance.

Sources of funding: Fundação Capes (Coordination Office for Tertiary-level Staff Advancement) Grant number 362/2001

Conflicts of interest: None

Date of first submission: March 18, 2002

Last received: September 24, 2002

Accepted: September 30, 2002

PUBLISHING INFORMATION

Allisson Monteiro da Silva, MD. Postgraduate student, Plastic Surgery Program, Universidade Federal de São Paulo/Escola Paulista de Medicina, São Paulo, Brazil.

Renato Santos de Oliveira Filho, MD. Postgraduate lecturer, Plastic Surgery Program, Universidade Federal de São Paulo/Escola Paulista de Medicina, São Paulo, Brazil.

Lydia Masako Ferreira, MD. Head and Chief, Plastic Surgery Branch, Department of Surgery; Coordinator of the postgraduate program in Plastic Surgery, Universidade Federal de São Paulo/Escola Paulista de Medicina, São Paulo, Brazil.

Humberto Saconato, MD. Collaborator of Centro Cochrane do Brasil; Assistant Professor, Internal Medicine, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil.

1. Brozena SJ, Fenske NA, Perez IR. Epidemiology of malignant melanoma, worldwide incidence, and etiologic factors. Semin Surg Oncol 1993;9(3):165-7.
2. Oliveira Filho RS, Ferreira LM, Barbieri A, et al. Linfadenectomia seletiva com biópsia de linfonodo sentinela no melanoma cutâneo. Experiência brasileira Projeto FAPESP 97/02516-0. An bras dermatol 2000;75:573-80.
3. Balch CM, Soong SJ, Gershenwald JE, et al. Prognostic factors analysis of 17,600 melanoma patients: validation of the American Joint Committee on Cancer melanoma staging system. J Clin Oncol 2001;19(16):3622-34.
4. Heller R, Becker J, Wasselle J, et al. Detection of submicroscopic lymph node metastases in patients with melanoma. Arch Surg 1991;126(12):1455-9.
5. Morton DL, Wen D, Cochran AJ. Management of early stage melanoma by intraoperative lymphatic mapping and selective lymphadenectomy: An alternative to routine elective lymphadenectomy or "watch and wait". Surg Oncol Clin North Am 1992;1:247-59.
6. Morton DL, Wen DR, Wong JH, et al. Technical details of intraoperative lymphatic mapping for early stage melanoma. Arch Surg 1992;127(4):392-9.
7. Smart KR, Cahoon BW, Dale PS. Sentinel lymphadenectomy for staging patients with intermediate-level melanoma. Ann Surg 2000;66(3):280-3.
8. Messina JL, Glass LF, Cruse CW, Berman C, Ku NK, Reintgen DS. Pathologic examination of the sentinel lymph node in malignant melanoma. Am J Surg Pathol 1999;23(6):686-90.
9. Wang X, Heller R, VanVoorhis N, et al. Detection of submicroscopic lymph node metastases with polymerase chain reaction in patients with malignant melanoma. Ann Surg 1994;220(6):768-74.
10. Lukowsky A, Bellmann B, Ringk A, et al. Detection of melanoma micrometastases in the sentinel lymph node and in nonsentinel nodes by tyrosinase polymerase chain reaction. J Invest Dermatol 1999;113(4):554-9.
11. Van der Velde-Zimmermann D, Roijers JF, Bouwens-Rombouts A, et al. Molecular test for the detection of tumor cells in blood and sentinel nodes of melanoma patients. Am J Pathol 1996;149(3):759-64.
12. Keilholz U, Willhauck M, Rimoldi D, et al. Realiability of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)-based assays for the detection of circulating tumour cells: a quality-assurance initiative of the EORTC Melanoma Cooperative Group. Eur J Cancer 1998;34(5):750-3.
13. Goydos JS, Ravikumar TS, Germino FJ, Yudd A, Bancila E. Minimally invasive staging of patients with melanoma: sentinel lymphadenectomy and detection of the melanoma-specific proteins MART-1 and tyrosinase by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. J Am Coll Surg 1998;187(2):182-8.
14. DerSimonian R, Laird N. Meta-analysis in clinical trials. Control Clin Trials. 1986;7(3):177-88.
15. Demets DL. Methods for combining randomized clinical trials: strengths and limitations. Stat Med 1987;6(3):341-50.
¹⁶
The Nordic Cochrane Centre. Cochrane Collaboration. Review Manager. Powered by the Cochrane Collaboration. RevMan. Version 4.1-c. Available at http://www.cochrane-net.org/revman/
17. Dickersin K, Scherer R, Lefebvre C. Identifying relevant studies for systematic reviews. BMJ 1994;309(6964):1286-91.
18. Olsen O, Middleton P, Ezzo J, et al. Quality of Cochrane reviews: assessment of sample from 1998. BMJ 2001;323:829-32.
19. Joseph E, Messina J, Glass FL, et al. Radioguided surgery for the ultrastaging of the patient with melanoma. Cancer J Sci Am. 1997;3(6):341-5.
20. Bostick PJ, Morton DL, Turner RR, et al. Prognostic significance of occult metastases detected by sentinel lymphadenectomy and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction in early-stage stage melanoma patients. J Clin Oncol 1999;17(10):3238-44.
21. Blaheta HJ, Ellwanger U, Schittek B, et al. Examination of regional lymph nodes by sentinel node biopsy and molecular analysis provides new staging facilities in primary cutaneous melanoma. J Invest Dermatol. 2000;114(4):637-42.
22. Li W, Stall A, Shivers SC, et al. Clinical relevance of molecular staging for melanoma comparison of RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry staining in sentinel lymph nodes of patients with melanoma. Ann Surg 2000;231(6):795-803.
23. Blaheta HJ, Schittek B, Breuninger H, et al. Detection of melanoma micrometastasis in sentinel nodes by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction correlates with tumor thickness and is predictive of micrometastatic disease in the lymph node basin. Am J Surg Pathol 1999;23(7) 822-8.
24. Pellegrino D, Bellina CR, Manca G, et al. Detection of melanoma cells in peripheral blood and sentinel lymph nodes by RT-PCR analysis: a comparative study with immunohistochemistry. Tumori 2000;86(4):336-8.
25. van der Velde-Zimmermann D, Schipper ME, de Weger RA, Hennipman A, Borel Rinkes IH. Sentinel node biopsies in melanoma patients: a protocol for accurate, efficient, and cost-effective analysis by preselection for immunohistochemistry on the basis of Tyr-PCR. Ann Surg Oncol 2000;7(1):51-4.
26. McMasters KM. The Sunbelt Melanoma Trial. Ann Surg Oncol 2001;8(9Suppl):41S-43S.

Correspondence to

Renato Santos de Oliveira Filho

Av Rebouças, 3084 - Cj. 14 - Pinheiros

São Paulo/SP - Brasil - CEP 05402-600

Tel. (+55 11) 3031-7681 / 3814-8185

Fax (+55 11) 3032-0763

E-mail:

renato.dcir@epm.br

Publication Dates

Publication in this collection
04 July 2003
Date of issue
2003

History

Accepted
30 Sept 2002
Reviewed
24 Sept 2002
Received
18 Mar 2002

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

[1] 1. Brozena SJ, Fenske NA, Perez IR. Epidemiology of malignant melanoma, worldwide incidence, and etiologic factors. Semin Surg Oncol 1993;9(3):165-7.

[2] 2. Oliveira Filho RS, Ferreira LM, Barbieri A, et al. Linfadenectomia seletiva com biópsia de linfonodo sentinela no melanoma cutâneo. Experiência brasileira Projeto FAPESP 97/02516-0. An bras dermatol 2000;75:573-80.

[3] 3. Balch CM, Soong SJ, Gershenwald JE, et al. Prognostic factors analysis of 17,600 melanoma patients: validation of the American Joint Committee on Cancer melanoma staging system. J Clin Oncol 2001;19(16):3622-34.

[4] 4. Heller R, Becker J, Wasselle J, et al. Detection of submicroscopic lymph node metastases in patients with melanoma. Arch Surg 1991;126(12):1455-9.

[5] 5. Morton DL, Wen D, Cochran AJ. Management of early stage melanoma by intraoperative lymphatic mapping and selective lymphadenectomy: An alternative to routine elective lymphadenectomy or "watch and wait". Surg Oncol Clin North Am 1992;1:247-59.

[6] 6. Morton DL, Wen DR, Wong JH, et al. Technical details of intraoperative lymphatic mapping for early stage melanoma. Arch Surg 1992;127(4):392-9.

[7] 7. Smart KR, Cahoon BW, Dale PS. Sentinel lymphadenectomy for staging patients with intermediate-level melanoma. Ann Surg 2000;66(3):280-3.

[8] 8. Messina JL, Glass LF, Cruse CW, Berman C, Ku NK, Reintgen DS. Pathologic examination of the sentinel lymph node in malignant melanoma. Am J Surg Pathol 1999;23(6):686-90.

[9] 9. Wang X, Heller R, VanVoorhis N, et al. Detection of submicroscopic lymph node metastases with polymerase chain reaction in patients with malignant melanoma. Ann Surg 1994;220(6):768-74.

[10] 10. Lukowsky A, Bellmann B, Ringk A, et al. Detection of melanoma micrometastases in the sentinel lymph node and in nonsentinel nodes by tyrosinase polymerase chain reaction. J Invest Dermatol 1999;113(4):554-9.

[11] 11. Van der Velde-Zimmermann D, Roijers JF, Bouwens-Rombouts A, et al. Molecular test for the detection of tumor cells in blood and sentinel nodes of melanoma patients. Am J Pathol 1996;149(3):759-64.

[12] 12. Keilholz U, Willhauck M, Rimoldi D, et al. Realiability of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)-based assays for the detection of circulating tumour cells: a quality-assurance initiative of the EORTC Melanoma Cooperative Group. Eur J Cancer 1998;34(5):750-3.

[13] 13. Goydos JS, Ravikumar TS, Germino FJ, Yudd A, Bancila E. Minimally invasive staging of patients with melanoma: sentinel lymphadenectomy and detection of the melanoma-specific proteins MART-1 and tyrosinase by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. J Am Coll Surg 1998;187(2):182-8.

[14] 14. DerSimonian R, Laird N. Meta-analysis in clinical trials. Control Clin Trials. 1986;7(3):177-88.

[15] 15. Demets DL. Methods for combining randomized clinical trials: strengths and limitations. Stat Med 1987;6(3):341-50.

[16] ¹⁶
The Nordic Cochrane Centre. Cochrane Collaboration. Review Manager. Powered by the Cochrane Collaboration. RevMan. Version 4.1-c. Available at http://www.cochrane-net.org/revman/

[17] 17. Dickersin K, Scherer R, Lefebvre C. Identifying relevant studies for systematic reviews. BMJ 1994;309(6964):1286-91.

[18] 18. Olsen O, Middleton P, Ezzo J, et al. Quality of Cochrane reviews: assessment of sample from 1998. BMJ 2001;323:829-32.

[19] 19. Joseph E, Messina J, Glass FL, et al. Radioguided surgery for the ultrastaging of the patient with melanoma. Cancer J Sci Am. 1997;3(6):341-5.

[20] 20. Bostick PJ, Morton DL, Turner RR, et al. Prognostic significance of occult metastases detected by sentinel lymphadenectomy and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction in early-stage stage melanoma patients. J Clin Oncol 1999;17(10):3238-44.

[21] 21. Blaheta HJ, Ellwanger U, Schittek B, et al. Examination of regional lymph nodes by sentinel node biopsy and molecular analysis provides new staging facilities in primary cutaneous melanoma. J Invest Dermatol. 2000;114(4):637-42.

[22] 22. Li W, Stall A, Shivers SC, et al. Clinical relevance of molecular staging for melanoma comparison of RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry staining in sentinel lymph nodes of patients with melanoma. Ann Surg 2000;231(6):795-803.

[23] 23. Blaheta HJ, Schittek B, Breuninger H, et al. Detection of melanoma micrometastasis in sentinel nodes by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction correlates with tumor thickness and is predictive of micrometastatic disease in the lymph node basin. Am J Surg Pathol 1999;23(7) 822-8.

[24] 24. Pellegrino D, Bellina CR, Manca G, et al. Detection of melanoma cells in peripheral blood and sentinel lymph nodes by RT-PCR analysis: a comparative study with immunohistochemistry. Tumori 2000;86(4):336-8.

[25] 25. van der Velde-Zimmermann D, Schipper ME, de Weger RA, Hennipman A, Borel Rinkes IH. Sentinel node biopsies in melanoma patients: a protocol for accurate, efficient, and cost-effective analysis by preselection for immunohistochemistry on the basis of Tyr-PCR. Ann Surg Oncol 2000;7(1):51-4.

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