ArticleInternational journal of dermatology2022
Using the Merlin assay for reducing sentinel lymph node biopsy complications in melanoma: a retrospective cohort study.
Article in International journal of dermatology, 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Who cites it
5 citing papers in PubMed, 7 citations in OpenAlex.
- Review
- Clinicopathologic gene expression profiling in lieu of sentinel lymph node biopsy: A case report in an uninsured patient with melanoma.JAAD case reports · 2026Article
- Adjuvant Therapy for High-Risk Stage II Melanoma: Current Paradigms in Management and Future Directions.Cancers · 2024Review
- Debating Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy for Melanoma in the Modern Adjuvant Era.Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology · 2023Article
- Cost evaluation of the Merlin assay for predicting melanoma sentinel lymph node biopsy metastasis.International journal of dermatology · 2023Article
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Authors and funding
9 authors at 3 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundThe assessment of the sentinel lymph node is a cornerstone of melanoma staging. However, ~80% of sentinel lymph node biopsies (SLNB) are negative and nontherapeutic, and patients are unnecessarily exposed to surgery-related complications. Here, we gauged the potential of the Merlin assay to reduce SLNB-associated complications. The Merlin assay uses clinicopathologic variables and tumor gene expression profiling to identify low-risk patients who may forgo SLNB.
methodsWe utilized the Merlin test development cohort to determine SLNB complication rates for procedures performed between 2004 and 2018 at Mayo Clinic. Complications evaluated were lymphedema, seroma, infection/cellulitis, hematoma, and wound dehiscence. Patients who underwent a completion lymph node dissection were excluded.
resultsA total of 558 patients were included. The overall 90-day complication rate specific to SLNB (1 year for lymphedema) was 17.4%. The most common complications were seroma (9.3%), infection/cellulitis (4.8%), and lymphedema (4.3%). All three were more common in patients with a lower extremity primary tumor location versus other locations. With Merlin test results applied, SLNB-related complications would have decreased by 59%.
conclusionSLNB is a safe procedure but carries a significant complication rate. Merlin testing might reduce the need for SLNB and its associated complications.
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