Critical appraisal:Wasif N, Gray RJ, Pockaj BA 2011 3

Critical Appraisal

Article being appraised

Wasif N, Gray RJ, Pockaj BA. Desmoplastic melanoma - the step-child in the melanoma family? J Surg Oncol 2011 Feb;103(2):158-62 Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21259250.

Applicable clinical question

• What is the role of sentinel node biopsy for desmoplastic neurotropic melanomas?

Key Facts

Study Design

cohort study

Study aims:

To study surgical management of the primary tumour as well as regional lymph nodes and to identify prognostic factors in patients with desmoplastic melanoma.

Number of Patients:

1735

1735 patients with DM.
505 underwent SLNB.

Reported outcome(s):

rate of sentinel node metastasis

Results of outcome(s):

14/505 patients were positive for sentinel node mets (3%).

Includes an economic evaluation

no

Evidence ratings

Level of evidence

III-2

Risk of bias

Moderate risk of bias

Comments: Please replace this text and include any additional comments in regards to your risk of bias rating

Show/Hide Risk of bias assessment

Risk of bias assessment: cohort study

Subject selection

"New technology" group

Selected group

Comparison group

Selected group

Comparability of groups on demographic characteristics and clinical features

Comparable

Measurement of outcomes

Outcome measures blind to technology used

No, but objective measures used

Same method of measurement used across comparison groups

Yes

Completeness of follow-up

Was follow-up complete and were all patients included in the analysis?

Yes (follow-up >95%) or survival analysis using all patients

Size of effect

5	Reason for decision: Please replace this text and briefly describe the reasons for your rating

Relevance of evidence

2	Additional comments: Please replace this text and briefly describe the reasons for your rating

Result of appraisal

Included

Completed by

Cecilia Taing

This appraisal has been completed.

Article

Wasif N, Gray RJ, Pockaj BA. Desmoplastic melanoma - the step-child in the melanoma family? J Surg Oncol 2011 Feb;103(2):158-62 Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21259250.

Assigned to

User:Cecilia.taing

Topic area

Guidelines:Melanoma

Clinical question

• What is the role of sentinel node biopsy for desmoplastic neurotropic melanomas?

Form

Form:Critical appraisal

Section below only relevant for Cancer Council Project Officer

Edit appraisal assignment