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Scientific Oral Presentation

Head and Neck Surgery

Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in Conjunctival Melanoma: A Review of Outcomes at a Single Institution

Sunday, October 18, 2026
8:54 AM - 9:00 AM PT
Location: West Exhibit Hall A, Learning Zone 3

    Presenting Author(s)

  • CB

    Cassie Bowers, BS

    Medical Student
    Howard University College of Medicine
    Washington DC, District of Columbia, United States

  • HK

    Hannah L. Kenny, MD

    Resident Physician
    Thomas Jefferson University
    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

    • Co-Author(s)

  • OE

    Oluebubechukwu Eze, BS

    Medical Student
    Howard University College of Medicine, United States

  • KB

    Kelly M. Bridgham, MD

    Resident Physician
    Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

    • Senior Author(s)

  • Joseph M. Curry, MD

    Professor
    Thomas Jefferson University
    Wynnewood, PA, United States

Disclosure(s):
Joseph M. Curry, MD:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Introduction: Conjunctival melanoma is a rare, aggressive malignancy with a propensity for lymphatic spread. Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) may detect occult nodal metastasis and serves as an important prognostic tool; data remains limited given the rarity of the disease. This study aims to expand the existing literature, reporting outcomes from the largest reported cohort with conjunctival melanoma undergoing SLNB at a single institution.

Methods: All patients at a single institution with conjunctival melanoma who underwent SLNB from 2013 to 2026 were retrospectively reviewed. Tumor staging, lymphoscintigraphy data, nodal tracer activity, nodal basins sampled, pathology findings, adjuvant therapy, and incidence of recurrence and survival were collected.

Results: 43 patients (22 M/21 F, 24 to 89 years old) with conjunctival melanoma underwent SLNB. The cohort included tumors across T stages, from 1a to 3d. The median number of lymph nodes excised was 2; lymph nodes were excised from parotid (n=30) and cervical (n=23) nodal basins. Though 37 patients had avid lymph nodes identified on lymphoscintigraphy, 40 patients (93.0%) had no nodal metastases identified on final pathology. 20 patients with no nodal disease were recommended for surveillance-only based on SLNB findings and tumor staging. 3 patients with positive nodal disease underwent parotidectomy and neck dissection (n=2) or immunotherapy (n=1). 31 patients (72.1%) have no reported recurrence at time of review.

Conclusions: SLNB is an effective tool for staging patients with ocular melanoma. Identification of microscopic nodal metastatic disease, or lack thereof, may help guide adjuvant treatment or allow for close surveillance.