Positive deep nodes in the groin and survival in malignant melanoma

A review of 48 consecutive patients with positive deep nodes in the groin and positive inguinal nodes from malignant melanoma was carried out. The deep nodes were enlarged (>2 cm) in 60% of the patients. The estimated 5-year survival rate following dissection of the deep nodes was 34%, 31% for those with palpable nodes (n = 40) and 50% for those with non-palpable (n = 8) inguinal nodes (P = 0.13). The overall 10-year survival rate was 25%. Involvement of the deep (iliac or obturator) nodes in malignant melanoma does not indicate systemic dissemination for all patients, as an appreciable percentage attains long-term survival after a thorough dissection of these nodes.