Supporting Publications Visit PubMed to view the journal articles that support this nomogram go

Researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering have developed a prediction tool (nomogram) to calculate the likelihood that disease has spread to lymph nodes in patients with melanoma. It is designed to individualize the risk estimate for each patient with better discrimination than the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system. This user-friendly nomogram takes several characteristics into account simultaneously to predict the presence of metastasis, or the cancer's spread, to nearby lymph nodes when a sentinel node biopsy is performed.

Who Is This Tool For?

This nomogram can be used for patients who have a primary cutaneous melanoma. While the melanoma may have been biopsied or excised previously, sentinel node biopsy cannot have been performed. The nodal basins in proximity of the melanoma should not have any enlarged lymph nodes on physical examination.

Our nomogram only utilizes routine predictors that are commonly available based on patient and primary tumor characteristics. Because the indications for sentinel lymph node biopsy in melanoma are not universally agreed upon, especially for very thin or very thick lesions, the nomogram alone is not a substitute for a consultation with your doctor. The nomogram predicts the probability of sentinel node involvement, but the threshold prompting sentinel lymph node biopsy should be decided between an individual patient and his or her physician.

What Information Will You Need?

To use this nomogram, you will need the following information:

How to Access the Tool

If you would like a copy of this application -- in Palm (including Treo 600) or Pocket PC format -- by submitting your e-mail address.