Scalene lymph node biopsy in the preoperative evaluation of patients with recurrent cervical cancer

Abstract

From 1982 to 1987, 24 patients with recurrent carcinoma of the cervix underwent scalene lymph node biopsy prior to exploration for exenteration. Patients with palpable nodes were excluded from the study. There was no significant morbidity associated with the procedure. None of the 24 patients was found to have metastases to the scalene lymph nodes. From this study it would seem unjustifiable to perform this procedure on all patients undergoing evaluation for exenteration.