Risk of Sentinel Lymph Node Metastasis

In the U.S.

Prediction Tools: DisclaimerThe prediction tools, also known as prognostic nomograms, located on the MSK Web site are for general health information only. The prediction tools are not to be used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of any health condition or problem.Users of the prediction tools should not rely on information provided by the prediction tools for their own health problems. Questions should be addressed to your own physician or other healthcare provider.MSK makes no warranties, nor express or implied representations whatsoever, regarding the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, comparative or controversial nature, or usefulness of any information contained or referenced in the prediction tools. MSK does not assume any risk whatsoever for your use of the prediction tools or the information contained herein. Health related information changes frequently and therefore information contained in the prediction tools may be outdated, incomplete or incorrect.Use of the prediction tools does not create an express or implied physician-patient relationship. MSK does not endorse or claim validity for the prediction tools found on the MSK Web site. The activities and products of MSK and its developers and agents (collectively MSK) are not endorsed by our past, present, or future employers. MSK does not record specific prediction tool user information and does not contact users of the prediction tools.You are hereby advised to consult with a physician or other professional healthcare provider prior to making any decisions, or undertaking any actions or not undertaking any actions related to any healthcare problem or issue you might have at any time, now or in the future. In using the prediction tools, you agree that neither MSK nor any other party is or will be liable or otherwise responsible for any decision made or any action taken or any action not taken due to your use of any information presented in the prediction tools.

Our melanoma sentinel lymph node metastasis nomogram is a tool designed to predict the probability that a patient’s skin melanoma has metastasized (spread) to the sentinel lymph node (the first lymph node to which cancer cells are likely to spread from the primary tumor). This tool can be used by patients with skin melanoma who have had their melanoma biopsied or surgically removed, but it is not appropriate for patients with melanoma who have already had a sentinel lymph node biopsy or who have enlarged lymph nodes in proximity to the melanoma on physical examination.

Results produced by this tool are based on data from patients treated at MSK, a large research institution with surgeons who perform a high volume of melanoma procedures. This tool was externally validated using data from a large, multi-institutional clinical trial, and was further evaluated and validated by three separate institutions (see Supporting Publications). All results must be understood in the context of each patient’s specific treatment plan. Patients and caregivers using this tool should discuss the result with the patient’s physician.

To gather the information required to use this nomogram, use our worksheet.

Enter Your Information

All fields are required unless noted optional

How old are you? years (20 to 95)

What was the thickness of your melanoma? mm (0.1 to 10)

Note: If the tumor thickness is less than 0.1 mm, enter as 0.1 mm.

What was your Clark level?

Note: This prediction tool applies only to Clark levels II to V.

More on Clark levels:: Clark levels refer to a system for describing how deep cancer has spread below the skin. Each level indicates what layer of skin the cancer has penetrated. In Clark Level I, the cancer is in the epidermis (outer layer of skin) only. In Clark Level II, the cancer has begun to grow into the papillary dermis (upper layer of the dermis). In Clark Level III, the cancer has grown through the papillary dermis into the papillary-reticular dermal interface but not into the reticular dermis (lower layer of the dermis). In Clark Level IV, the cancer has grown into the reticular dermis. In Clark Level V, the cancer has grown into the subcutaneous tissue.

Where was your melanoma located?

Was there ulceration reported in your pathology report?

Yes