Cost-effectiveness of sentinel lymph node biopsy in thin melanomas.

BACKGROUND: Consideration of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is recommended for thin melanomas with poor prognostic features; however, few metastases are identified. The purpose of this study was to assess the cost effectiveness of SLNB in this population.

METHODS: The prospective melanoma database was reviewed to identify patients with melanomas <1.2 mm thick who had undergone SLNB. Physician and hospital charges were collected from the appropriate billing department.

RESULTS: A total of 138 patients were identified over an 8-year period (1994-2002). Two patients with positive SLNs were identified (1.4%), one with a melanoma <1 mm thick. Patient charges for SLNB ranged from $10,096 to $15,223 US dollars, compared with $1000 to $1740 US dollars for wide excision as an outpatient. Using these charges, the cost to identify a single positive SLN would be between $696,600 and $1,051,100 US dollars. The cost for wide excision would be between $69,000 and $120,100 US dollars. Assuming that all patients with a positive SLN would die of melanoma, the cost per life saved would be $627,000 to $931,000 US dollars.

CONCLUSIONS: The cost of performing SLNB in this population is great and only a small number will have disease identified that will alter treatment. These data call into question the appropriateness of SLNB for thin melanomas.