Can we predict additional positive lymph nodes? Looking towards a predictive tool for diagnosis

Abstract

Introduction: Sentinel node biopsy (SNB) is gaining acceptance as a standard management of early head and neck cancer. Occult nodal metastasis occur in 20–30% of clinically and radiologically N0 necks. Prior studies have used historical data to assess if the positive sentinel and non-sentinel lymph nodes (non SLN) can be predicted from tumour and patient characteristics. The European Sentinel Node Trial (SENT) has shown that the number of positive nodes was the most significant predictor of outcome.