Análisis del valor de la biopsia del gangliocentinela en el melanoma cutáneo / Analysis in the meaning of sentinel lymph node biopsy in cutaneous melanoma

El melanoma cutáneo es una neoplasia cuya incidencia va en aumento en nuestro medio. Presentamos un estudio sobre 1023 casos de esta patología recogidos a lo largo de 20 años, distribuidos en 2 grupos: grupo A tratados antes del 2000, y grupo B tratados después del2000. Comparamos la supervivencia de ambos grupos en base al cambio de tratamiento por la introducción del estudio del ganglio centinela a partir del año 2000.No observamos diferencias significativas entre los 2grupos en la supervivencia de los pacientes con melanoma a pesar de realizar tratamientos más conservadores. Por tanto, gracias a la biopsia de ganglio centinela, se pueden evitar un 75% de linfadenectomías electivas realizadas en este tipo de patología sin modificar los índices de supervivencia (AU)

The incidence of cutaneous melanoma has increased in our country recently. We report our experience during 20 years in 1023cases, comparing the survival between 2 groups of patients: group A treated before 2000, and group B treated after 2000, based on the different treatment after the introduction of sentinel lymph node biopsy in 2000.There are no differences in survival rates between both groups in spite of being more conservative. Moreover,75% of the lymphadenectomy could be evitated (AU)

The role of plastic surgery in sarcoma treatment

INTRODUCTION: Sarcomas are low-incidence tumours, but their poor prognosis and complex treatment require the work of a multidisciplinary medical team. The Plastic Surgery Service forms part of the Sarcoma Functional Unit in our centre, performing tumour exeresis as well as immediate reconstruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We present a retrospective study on the experience of the Plastic Surgery Service of the Hospital Universitario de Bellvitge in the treatment of 133 sarcomas over 20 years. RESULTS: The surgical treatment was based on local radical surgery supported by primary reconstructive surgery in 42.9% of the cases, with an amputation rate in limb sarcomas of 9.7%. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy were used in the high-grade sarcomas as adjuvant treatment. The anatomical location of the head and neck was associated with the need for reconstructive procedures. Survival free from local recurrence was 84.72% at 5 years. Disease-specific survival was 81.22% at 5 years. The only prognostic factor for survival in our series was histological grade. CONCLUSIONS: Primary reconstructive surgery has a fundamental role in sarcoma treatment enabling radical surgical resection, avoiding amputations and facilitating adjuvant treatments (AU)