Unilateral Sentinel Lymph Node Research Articles

Evaluation of Sentinel Lymph Node Drainage Patterns in Early-Stage Oral Cavity Cancer

Surgery is the mainstay for squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity (OSCC), which includes an elective neck dissection. To limit morbidity of neck dissection, sentinel lymph biopsy (SLNB) has been introduced to identify patients at risk for nodal metastasis. While the data has thoroughly examined the relationship between SLNB in patients with unilateral lymph node drainage, little information exists on the rate of bilateral lymph node drainage patterns in lateralized OSCC. This study sought to examine the incidence of bilateral lymph node drainage patterns using sentinel node mapping in early stage OSCC. This retrospective review of the electronic medical records at Rush University Medical Center focused on patients who underwent a SLNB based on CPT codes 38724, 38900, 38542, and 38510. From this cohort, we limited our analysis to patients with primary clinical T1 or T2 OSCC. Primary outcome was the rate of bilateral nodal drainage on sentinel node mapping based on the SPECT-CT. A total of 54 patients were diagnosed with clinical T1/T2N0 OSCC and underwent a SLNB with SPECT-CT. (1) From the cohort of 54, 15 patients (27.78%) had bilateral sentinel lymph node drainage on SPECT-CT, while 39 patients (72.22%) had unilateral sentinel lymph node drainage. (2) Eleven patients (73.3%) from the bilateral drainage cohort completed appropriate SLN mapping with bilateral nodal assessments. (3) Four patients who had SPECT-CT evidence of bilateral drainage completed unilateral nodal assessment alone. (4) Of the patients with bilateral nodal assessment, 1 (9.1%) patient had a positive sentinel node on the ipsilateral side, 2 (18.2%) were found to have a positive sentinel node in the contralateral neck. (5) Overall, 3 patients (20%) had local-regional recurrence in the bilateral sentinel lymph drainage cohort. Management of early-stage OSCC has evolved to include SLN mapping and biopsy. Our results found that contralateral drainage occurs in 18% of our patients with 2 patients having positive sentinel node in the contralateral neck. Therefore, the rate of contralateral drainage is not clinically insignificant and this result furthers the importance of lymphatic mapping in the early-stage OSCC treatment algorithm.

Finding the sentinel lymph node in early cervical cancer: When is unusual not uncommon?

ObjectiveTo report our institutional experience with sentinel lymph node (SLN) detection using indocyanine green for cervical cancer, in terms of detection rates, detection of SLN at unusual locations, and factors associated with unusual SLN locations. In addition, we performed a systematic review of the literature to identify factors associated with unusual SLN localizations. MethodsThis is a retrospective cohort study of women with early-stage cervical cancer undergoing sentinel lymph node mapping between 2015 and 2019. Outcome measures were SLN detection rates, detection rates of unusual locations for SLN and risk factors for aberrant lymphatic drainage pathways. In addition, studies evaluating factors associated with unusual SLN locations in cervical cancer were assessed in a systematic review. ResultsA total of 100 patients were included. The unilateral SLN detection rate was 88%, whereas the bilateral detection rate was 75%. In 37% of all patients, SLN were found in unusual locations, and in 10% of patients SLN were solely found in unusual locations. Body mass index (BMI) was associated with finding SLN in unusual locations, with unusual nodes detected in 52% of patients with BMI <25 kg/m2 and in 28% of patients with BMI ≥25 kg/m2. The systematic review identified three studies, identifying lower BMI, nulliparity and tumor size of >20 mm as factors associated with finding SLN at unusual locations. ConclusionAberrant drainage sites represent a significant proportion of SLN detected in cervical cancer. Factors associated with increased rates of unusual nodal locations are a lower BMI, with a possible association with nulliparity and tumor size of >20 mm.

Unilateral inguinofemoral lymphadenectomy in patients with early-stage vulvar squamous cell carcinoma and a unilateral metastatic sentinel lymph node is safe

ObjectiveOptimal management of the contralateral groin in patients with early-stage vulvar squamous cell carcinoma (VSCC) and a metastatic unilateral inguinal sentinel lymph node (SN) is unclear. We analyzed patients who participated in GROINSS-V I or II to determine whether treatment of the contralateral groin can safely be omitted in patients with a unilateral metastatic SN. MethodsWe selected the patients with a unilateral metastatic SN from the GROINSS-V I and II databases. We determined the incidence of contralateral additional non-SN metastases in patients with unilateral SN-metastasis who underwent bilateral inguinofemoral lymphadenectomy (IFL). In those who underwent only ipsilateral groin treatment or no further treatment, we determined the incidence of contralateral groin recurrences during follow-up. ResultsOf 1912 patients with early-stage VSCC, 366 had a unilateral metastatic SN. Subsequently, 244 had an IFL or no treatment of the contralateral groin. In seven patients (7/244; 2.9% [95% CI: 1.4%-5.8%]) disease was diagnosed in the contralateral groin: five had contralateral non-SN metastasis at IFL and two developed an isolated contralateral groin recurrence after no further treatment. Five of them had a primary tumor ≥30 mm. Bilateral radiotherapy was administered in 122 patients, of whom one (1/122; 0.8% [95% CI: 0.1%–4.5%]) had a contralateral groin recurrence. ConclusionThe risk of contralateral lymph node metastases in patients with early-stage VSCC and a unilateral metastatic SN is low. It appears safe to limit groin treatment to unilateral IFL or inguinofemoral radiotherapy in these cases.

698P Bilateral nodal drainage in early-stage oral cancers: The case for lymphatic mapping

Surgery is the mainstay for squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity (OSCC), which includes an elective neck dissection. To limit morbidity of neck dissection, sentinel lymph biopsy (SLNB) has been introduced to identify patients at risk for nodal metastasis. While the data has thoroughly examined the relationship between SLNB in patients with unilateral lymph node drainage, little information exists on the rate of bilateral lymph node drainage patterns in lateralized OSCC. This study sought to examine the incidence of bilateral lymph node drainage patterns using sentinel node mapping in early stage OSCC. This retrospective review of the electronic medical records at Rush University Medical Center focused on patients who underwent a SLNB. From this cohort, we limited our analysis to patients with primary clinical T1 or T2 OSCC. Primary outcome was the rate of bilateral nodal drainage on sentinel node mapping based on the SPECT-CT. From 2014 to 2021, 54 patients were diagnosed with clinical T1/T2N0 OSCC and underwent a SLNB with SPECT-CT. From the cohort of 54, 15 patients (27.78%) had bilateral sentinel lymph node drainage on SPECT-CT, while 39 patients (72.22%) had unilateral sentinel lymph node drainage. 11 patients (73.3%) from the bilateral drainage cohort completed appropriate SLN mapping with bilateral nodal assessments. 4 patients who had SPECT-CT evidence of bilateral drainage completed unilateral nodal assessment alone. Of the patients with bilateral nodal assessment, 1 (9.1%) patient had a positive sentinel node on the ipsilateral side, 2 (18.2%) were found to have a positive sentinel node in the contralateral neck. Overall, 3 patients (20%) had local-regional recurrence in the bilateral sentinel lymph drainage cohort. Management of early-stage OSCC has evolved to include SLN mapping and biopsy. Our results found that contralateral drainage occurs in 28% of our patients with 2 patients having positive sentinel node in the contralateral neck. Therefore, the rate of contralateral drainage is not clinically insignificant and this result furthers the importance of lymphatic mapping in the early-stage OSCC treatment algorithm.

Morbid obesity increases the failure rate of sentinel lymph node mapping for endometrial carcinoma

<h3>Objectives:</h3> Sentinel Lymph Node (SLN) mapping is recommended for patients with endometrial carcinoma to reduce the rate of full lymphadenectomy and its associated morbidity such as lymphedema. Obesity is a risk factor for endometrial carcinoma, and many patients are morbidly obese at the time of diagnosis. The goal of this study is to examine the impact of body mass index (BMI) on the success rate of SLN mapping using indocyanine green (ICG) and near-infrared imaging. <h3>Methods:</h3> A retrospective cohort study was performed of women with endometrial carcinoma undergoing robotic hysterectomy and SLN mapping with ICG between March 2016 and August 2019. Robotic surgery cases were identified from the hospital financial system that were coded with a primary diagnosis of Endometrial Cancer, a procedure of hysterectomy, and a cost code for indocyanine green. A total of 369 cases were identified. A total of 28 cases were excluded because no dye was used or SLN mapping was not attempted due to extent of disease. Preoperative patient characteristics and surgical outcomes including SLN mapping success rate were compared across World Health Organization BMI groups. <h3>Results:</h3> BMI was categorized as normal weight (BMI 18.5 - 24.9, 41 patients), pre-obesity (BMI 25.0 - 29.9, 48 patients), obesity class I (BMI 30.0 - 34.9, 71 patients), obesity class II (BMI 35.0 - 39.9, 70 patients), and obesity class III (BMI ≥40, 111 patients). Across BMI groups, patient age and ASA category were significantly different, with younger ages and higher ASA scores in the higher BMI groups. BMI groups did not differ in the number of prior abdominal surgeries or FIGO Grade. Uterine weight, diameter and procedure time were all significantly different across BMI groups, with higher weights, diameters and procedure times in the higher BMI groups. Estimated blood loss and depth of myometrial invasion were not significantly different. In the cohort, 85% had FIGO Stage 1 disease. For procedures with successful unilateral or bilateral SLN detection, the mean number of lymph nodes removed per side was not significantly different across BMI groups. The overall bilateral SLN mapping success rate for the cohort was 68.9%. However, the bilateral SLN mapping success rate was significantly lower in patients with obesity class III (54.1%) compared with patients who were less obese (76.1%, p<0.01). There was no difference in success rate between lower BMI categories. <h3>Conclusions:</h3> Patients with class III obesity (BMI > 40) have a significantly lower success rate for SLN mapping when compared with all other BMI categories (54.1% vs 76.1%, respectively, p<0.01).

Evaluation of sentinel lymph node detection rates at increasing BMI

<h3>Objectives:</h3> Sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping has become the preferred method for surgical staging of endometrial cancer; however, previous studies on SLN mapping have not reported detection rates specifically in terms of obesity class. Our objective was to evaluate the success of SLN detection in endometrial cancer as it relates to body mass index (BMI). <h3>Methods:</h3> Clinicopathologic data were abstracted for patients who completed surgical staging at a single institution between 2015 and 2020. All patients who completed sentinel lymph node mapping had cervical injection with ICG green and near infrared imaging via the robotic platform. Descriptive statistics were calculated, chi-square tests were used to assess the associations between categorical variables, and independent T tests were used for continuous variables. <h3>Results:</h3> A total of 337 patients completed surgical staging over the study period. Of these, 226 women completed cervical dye injection with attempted sentinel lymph node mapping. Two hundred and ten women (92.9%) women had at least a unilateral sentinel lymph node detected with 156 women (74.3%) mapping bilaterally. The majority of patients were obese, accounting for 65% of the study population with a mean BMI of 34.4 kg/m² (range 18.5 - 66.1kg/m²). Mean BMI at the time of surgery was significantly lower for patients with sentinel lymph nodes identified compared to those who did not successfully map correlating with class I versus class II obesity (34.1kg/m² vs 39.2kg/m², p=.02). Only two normal weight or overweight patients (2.6%) did not successfully map, while 28.5% of women with super morbid obesity (BMI>50kg/m²) did not map successfully. Of the super morbidly obese patients that mapped, only 3/7 (57.1%) mapped bilaterally. Patients that did not map had significantly longer procedure time by 35 minutes (192 vs 157 minutes, p<0.001) Eighteen patients (8%) had positive lymph nodes identified. There was no difference in rates of node positivity across weight class or by mean BMI. <h3>Conclusions:</h3> Patients with failed sentinel lymph node identification had a higher mean BMI and longer procedure time, with the highest rates of failed mapping found in super morbidly obese patients. The current results may aide in the selection of surgical staging methods and the preoperative counseling for patients, particularly those with BMI >50kg/m².

Lymphatic mapping and obesity with sentinel lymph node biopsy in endometrial cancer

<h3>Objectives:</h3> Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) has emerged as an acceptable alternative to complete pelvic and paraaortic lymph node dissection (PPALND) for patients with clinical stage I endometrial cancer. Several factors are associated with high risk of bilateral SLN detection failure. Our aim is to investigate the effect of obesity on bilateral SLN detection rates. <h3>Methods:</h3> Patients with either clinical stage I endometrial cancer or complex atypical hyperplasia were retrospectively reviewed from September 2016 through February 2020. All patients had undergone either a robot-assisted or laparoscopic hysterectomy with SLNB. Endometrioid, uterine papillary serous (UPSC), malignant mixed mesodermal tumor (MMMT), and clear cell (CC) histologies were included. Indocyanine green was injected into the cervix per our protocol. Patients with suboptimal lymph node mapping or nodes suspicious for metastasis underwent a side specific pelvic lymph node dissection (LND). In addition to SLNB, PPALND was performed for patients with UPSC, MMMT, and CC. Sentinel lymph nodes (SLN) were evaluated using ultra-staging protocols including serial sectioning and cytokeratin staining. The medical record was queried for successful bilateral or unilateral sentinel lymph node detection. Patient demographic data was then collected and analyzed with sentinel lymph node detection rate. <h3>Results:</h3> A total of 97 patients were reviewed and included: 92 had diagnosed endometrial cancer while 5 had complex atypical hyperplasia. Stage were as follows: 81 patients had stage I or II disease, and 8 patients had Stage III disease diagnosed at surgery. At least one SLN was detected 95.9% of cases, with an overall bilateral detection rate of 77.7%. In total, 53 patients classified as obese (25 Class I, 15 Class II and 13 Class III), 24 patients were overweight (BMI 25-29.9) and 20 patients had normal BMI. Unilateral and bilateral detection rates were not independently associated with obesity class. Bilateral SLN detection rates were 76% in normal BMI class and 67%, 83% and 73% for Class I, Class II and Class III obesity respectively; while at least one SLN was detected in 94% of normal BMI class and 92%, 96%, 100% and 92% in overweight weight class, Class I, II and II obesity respectively. <h3>Conclusions:</h3> Patient BMI is an important consideration for preoperative planning and success of bilateral sentinel lymph node mapping. Bilateral detection rates among obese patients are comparable to those of non-obese patients in our cohort. Despite previously reported correlation between BMI and successful bilateral mapping, our results do not demonstrate this relationship and obesity does not appear to be a contraindication to SLNB.

Contralateral lymph node metastases in patients with vulvar cancer and unilateral sentinel lymph node metastases.

The risk of contralateral lymph node metastases following unilateral sentinel lymph node (SLN) metastases in patients with vulvar cancer(s) remains to be systematically assessed. We performed a multicenter, retrospective registry-based study of 476 patients with vulvar cancer. The primary outcome measure was the rate of contralateral non-SLN metastases in the case of positive unilateral SLN. Out of 476 patients with primary vulvar cancer, 202 received SLN biopsy: 58 unilateral and 144 bilateral. Out of 66 patients with unilateral metastatic SLN, 62 (93.9%) received contralateral lymphadenectomy-18 after unilateral and 44 after bilateral SLN biopsy. In the study group, 132 SLN were assessed with a median number of 2 (range 1-4) per patient and 76 of these were positive. Lymph node-positivity was associated with advanced tumor stage, as well as lymph and vascular space invasion. In the group of patients with bilateral inguino-femoral lymphadenectomy, 1004 lymph nodes were resected with a median number of 15 (range 10-29) per patient. After full dissection of the inguino-femoral lymph nodes, no contralateral non-SLN metastases were found. The risk of contralateral non-SLN metastases in patients with unilateral SLN metastases was low. Therefore, the impact of contralateral lymphadenectomy on patient survival should be investigated in further studies.

Sentinel lymph node detection in endometrial cancer with indocyanine green: laparoscopic versus robotic approach.

The aims of the present study were to assess bilateral sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping with laparoscopic versus robotic approach, to assess variables affecting bilateral detection rates and to assess survival difference in patients with no/unilateral, compared to bilateral SLN detection. This is a retrospective, single-centre, observational cohort study, including patients with endometrial cancer FIGO stage IA-IVB, treated with minimally invasive primary surgery and undergoing indocyanine green (ICG) injection to detect SLN, between January 2015 and December 2019. Of the 549 included patients, 286 (52.1%) and 263 (47.9%) underwent the laparoscopic and robotic approach respectively. 387 (70.5%) patients had bilateral SLN mapping, 102 (18.6%) and 60 (10.9%) had unilateral and no mapping, respectively. Patients who underwent the robotic approach were older (median 61 versus 64 years, p=0.046) and had a higher BMI (median 26.0 versus 34.8 kg/m2, p<0.001). No difference in any SLN mapping or in SLN bilateral detection was evident between the laparoscopic or robotic approach (p=0.892 and p=0.507 respectively). Patients with bilateral SLN detection in the entire cohort were younger (p<0.001) and had a better 3-year disease-free survival (DFS) compared to patients with no/unilateral SLN mapping (77.0% versus 66.3%, respectively, p=0.036). No 3-year overall survival (OS) difference was reported (p=0.491). SLN mapping and bilateral SLN detection with ICG in endometrial cancer was not different in the laparoscopic and robotic approach, even though patients undergoing the robotic approach were older and more obese. Bilateral SLN detection was associated with improved 3-year DFS, but not with 3-year OS, compared to no and unilateral SLN detection.

The potential risk of contralateral non-sentinel groin node metastasis in women with early primary vulvar cancer following unilateral sentinel node metastasis: a single center evaluation in University Hospital of D\xfcsseldorf

BackgroundSince the introduction of sentinel node biopsy (SLNB) in unifocal vulvar cancer (diameter of < 4 cm) and unsuspicious groin lymph nodes, the morbidity rate of patients has significantly decreased globally. In contrast to SLNB, bilateral inguinofemoral lymphadenectomy (IFL) has been associated with increased risk of common morbidities. Current guidelines (NCCN, ESGO, RCOG, and German) recommend that in cases of unilaterally positive sentinel lymph node (SLN), bilateral IFL should be performed. However, two recent publications by Woelber et al. and Nica et al. contradict the current guideline, since a significant rate of positive non sentinel lymph nodes in IFL contralaterally was not observed [Woelber et al. 0% (p = 0/28) and Nica et al. 5.3% (p = 1/19)].MethodsA retrospective single-center analysis conducted in the University Hospital of Dusseldorf, evaluating vulvar cancer patients treated with SLNB from 2002 to 2018.Results22.2% of women (n = 4/18) were found to have contralateral IFL groin metastasis after an initial diagnosis of unilateral SLN metastasis. The depth of tumor infiltrating cells correlated significantly and positively with the rate of incidence of groin metastasis (p = 0.0038).ConclusionCurrent guideline for bilateral IFL should remain as the standard management. Therefore, this depth may be taken into account as an indication for bilateral IFL. The management of VC and SLNB should be performed in a high volume center with an experienced team in marking SLN and performing the adequate surgical procedure. Well conducted counseling of the patients outlining advantages but also potential oncological risks of this technique especially concerning rate of groin recurrence is critical.

Anatomic Asymmetry in Sentinel Lymph Node Detection in Endometrial Cancer

To determine whether the concomitant use of indocyanine green (ICG) with technetium-99m-filtered sulfur colloid (Tc99m-FSC) improves bilateral sentinel lymph node (SLN) detection rate in endometrial cancer and whether anatomic concordance of pelvic lymph nodes exists and can be used to predict SLN location in cases of unilateral mapping failure. Retrospective cohort study. Tertiary academic medical center in Holon, Israel. Patients diagnosed with endometrial cancer, who underwent SLN mapping with Tc99m-FSC, ICG, or both, at our center between 2014 and 2019. A total of 111 patients were included in the study. SLN mapping using Tc99m-FSC was performed in 101 (91.9%) patients, and ICG injection was given to 64 (57.6%) patients of whom 55 (49.5%) received both. We compared SLN detection rates (unilateral and bilateral) and anatomic symmetry for each method alone and for a combination of the 2. The overall detection rate for unilateral SLNs was 96.4%; 96.9% with ICG, 93.1% with gamma-probe, and 98.2% by combining both methods. The total bilateral detection rate was 72.1%, with ICG performing better as a single tracer than Tc99m-FSC (75% vs 63.4%, respectively). In 55 women in whom both tracers were used, the bilateral detection rate was significantly higher compared with Tc99m-FSC alone. Symmetric pelvic anatomic concordance of SLN was found in only 35 of 80 patients with bilateral SLN detection (43.8%). The combination of preoperative radioisotope injection and intraoperative ICG administration may yield the best bilateral SLN detection rate. In cases of unilateral mapping failure, one cannot rely on the anatomic location of the ipsilateral SLN detected to harvest the complementary node because the symmetric concordance is poor.

Feasibility of sentinel lymph node detection by near-infrared endoscopy in squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity: a pilot study.

Near-Infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging is a novel technique for intraoperative sentinel lymph node (SLN) identification. It has demonstrated promising results in several surgical specialties. The study aims to evaluate the feasibility of identifying the SLN by indocyanine green (ICG) enhanced NIR endoscopy in squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity (OCSCC). Seven patients with (cT1-3 N0) OCSCC were included. We injected 1-1.25 ml of ICG (5 mg/ml) at four to five points around the primary. After the elevation of a platysma flap and posterior retraction of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, fluorescence images were taken via IMAGE1 STM NIR/ICG system to define the SLN(s). We sampled fluorescence marked SLN(s) stratified to lymph node levels, followed by level-specified elective neck dissection. The detection of at least one unilateral or bilateral SLN (range 1-5) was possible in every case. The fluorescence signal occurred, on average, 5.0 ± 2.2 minutes after injection. A total of 22 SLN could be identified. Among 331 histologically examined lymph nodes we could detect one micrometastasis, which was correctly defined as SLN (1/22). There were no false-negative findings. No adverse reactions to ICG occurred. Our first results are indicating the concept of SLN concerning OCSCC after the application of real-time NIR fluorescence endoscopy. However, this has to be verified by more extended studies.

Laparoscopic sentinel node mapping with intracervical indocyanine green injection for endometrial cancer: the SENTIFAIL study – a multicentric analysis of predictors of failed mapping

ObjectivesLaparoscopy is commonly used for endometrial cancer treatment, and sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping has become the standard procedure for nodal assessment. Despite the standardization of the technique, there is...

SPECT-CT visualization and biopsy of sentinel lymph nodes in patients with stage IAB-IIA cervical cancer.

To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy and to determine clinical significance of preoperative single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT-CT). We retrospectively evaluate data and images of 55 women with stage IAB-IIA cervical cancer that underwent sentinel lymph node biopsy and subsequent lymph node dissection. 99mTc-phytate (300MBq) was injected submucosally in 4 points and SPECT-CT started 2h after the injection. All lymph nodes (LN) that accumulated radiocolloids were regarded as sentinel. Next day after the mapping radical hysterectomy with complete pelvic and parametrial LN dissection and SLN biopsy were performed according to the institute protocol. SPECT-CT identified SLNs in 51 of 55 patients. All SLNs were successfully detected during the surgery. The SLN mapping efficacy was 92.7%. LN metastases were diagnosed in 6/51 (11.8%) cases, including 2 patients with positive SLNs. Sensitivity, negative predictive value (NPV) and false-negative rate for SLN biopsy were as follows: 33.4%, 91.8% and 66.6%. In patients with unilateral SPECT-CT localization of SLNs, LN metastases were identified in 4 (20%) of 20 patients but SLN biopsy was false negative in all cases. In 31 women, SPECT-CT detected SLNs on both sides of the pelvis. In this group, regional LN metastases were diagnosed in 2 patients, and in both cases metastases were detected only in SLNs. In women with SPECT-CT visualization of SLNs on both sides of the pelvis, SLN biopsy had high sensitivity and NPV. In patients with unilateral SLN localization, SLN biopsy cannot be used for the prediction of regional LN status.

Micrometastases in Sentinel Lymph Nodes Represent a Significant Negative Prognostic Factor in Early-Stage Cervical Cancer: A Single-Institutional Retrospective Cohort Study.

The data on the prognostic significance of low volume metastases in lymph nodes (LN) are inconsistent. The aim of this study was to retrospectively analyze the outcome of a large group of patients treated with sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy at a single referral center. Patients with cervical cancer, stage T1a-T2b, common tumor types, negative LN on preoperative staging, treated by primary surgery between 01/2007 and 12/2016, with at least unilateral SLN detection were included. Patients with abandoned radical surgery due to intraoperative SLN positivity detected by frozen section were excluded. All SLNs were postoperatively processed by an intensive protocol for pathological ultrastaging. Altogether, 226 patients were analyzed. Positive LN were detected in 38 (17%) cases; macrometastases (MAC), micrometastases (MIC), isolated tumor cells (ITC) in 14, 16, and 8 patients. With the median follow-up of 65 months, 22 recurrences occurred. Disease-free survival (DFS) reached 90% in the whole group, 93% in LN-negative cases, 89% in cases with MAC, 69% with MIC, and 87% with ITC. The presence of MIC in SLN was associated with significantly decreased DFS and OS. Patients with MIC and MAC should be managed similarly, and SLN ultrastaging should become an integral part of the management of patients with early-stage cervical cancer.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy with cervical injection of indocyanine green in apparent early-stage endometrial cancer: predictors of unsuccessful mapping

ObjectiveTo identify predictors of unsuccessful sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping in patients with apparent early-stage endometrial cancer (EC) undergoing surgical staging with cervical injection of indocyanine green and SLN biopsy. MethodsWe retrospectively identified consecutive patients with EC with attempted SLN biopsy between June 2014 and June 2016 at our institution. Patients were grouped according to whether they had a successful procedure, defined as the bilateral identification of SLNs, or an unsuccessful procedure, defined as unilateral or no SLN mapping. Logistic regression was used to evaluate predictors of an unsuccessful procedure. ResultsAmong 327 patients included in the analysis, 256 (78.3%) had a successful procedure and 71 (21.7%) had an unsuccessful procedure (15.0% unilateral SLN mapping, 6.7% no mapping). The rate of successful procedure increased from 57.7% to 83.3% between the first and last quarters of the 2-year study period, which represented the learning curve for the technique. The mean (SD) operative time decreased from 164 (55) to 137 (37) minutes. By multivariable analysis, lysis of adhesions at the beginning of surgery (odds ratio, 3.07; 95% CI, 1.56–6.07) and the presence of enlarged lymph nodes (odds ratio, 4.69; 95% CI, 1.82–12.11) were independently associated with an unsuccessful procedure. ConclusionsLysis of adhesions at the beginning of surgery and the presence of enlarged lymph nodes independently affect the bilateral detection of SLNs.

Risk factors for failure of sentinel lymph node mapping using indocyanine green/near-infrared fluorescent imaging in endometrial cancer.

Side-specific systematic lymphadenectomy is suggested if sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping failed in early stages endometrial cancer. This study aimed to evaluate the risk factors associated with failed mapping which may lead to modify SLN mapping technique, increase the success of SLN mapping and reduce the necessity of systematic lymphadenectomy. Patients with early stage endometrial cancer were included in this study. All patients underwent SLN mapping with indocyanine green/near-infrared compatible surgical platforms. Indocyanine green was injected intracervical. "Bilateral mapping" and "failed bilateral SLN mapping (unilateral or bilateral failed mapping)" groups were compared for demographic, clinical, surgical, and pathological features. 101 cases were analyzed. The overall, unilateral, and bilateral SLN detection rates were 94.1%, 19.8%, and 74.3%, respectively. The failed (unilateral or no mapping) bilateral detection rate was 25.7%. Failed bilateral mapping rates were higher in patients with longer cervical and uterine longitudinal lengths, deep myometrial invasion and larger tumor size without statistical significance. Body mass index and operation type were not related with failed mapping. Increasing number of operations or injection of larger volume of indocyanine green (4mL vs. 2mL) did not improve mapping rate significantly. Cervical indocyanine green injection may overcome the negative effect of obesity on bilateral mapping. Although there was a negative correlation trend between the longitudinal cervical and uterine lengths and bilateral mapping, this possible relation needs to be confirmed in further studies.

Adipose-only sentinel lymph nodes: a finding during the adaptation of a sentinel lymph node mapping algorithm with indocyanine green in women with endometrial cancer.

To identify factors that affect successful adaptation of sentinel lymph node mapping and those that lead to unintended adipose-only sentinel lymph node identification. Surgical and pathological data were prospectively collected on patients with endometrial cancer who underwent sentinel lymph node mapping with indocyanine green with or without pelvic and/or para-aortic lymph node dissection between November 2013 and April 2017. All mapping cases were performed with the robotic system. Adipose-only specimens were defined as a sentinel lymph node without a pathologically identified lymph node after ultrastaging. A total of 202 patients were included: 83% had endometrioid pathology, 12% serous, 3% carcinosarcoma, and 2% clear cell, with mixed pathology noted in 2%. The bilateral sentinel lymph node detection rate was 66%, and the rate of mapping at least a unilateral sentinel lymph node was 86%. Neither the bilateral nor the unilateral sentinel lymph node mapping rate changed with increased surgeon experience. The rate of adipose-only sentinel lymph node identification was more frequent when comparing the first 10 cases (37%), cases 11 - 30 (28%), and > 30 cases (9%) (P = 0.006). Body mass index > 30 kg/m2, uterine fibroids, The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) grade, and histology were not found to have a statistically significant impact on either sentinel lymph node identification or adipose-only sentinel lymph node identification. Adipose-only sentinel lymph nodes were more likely with increased time from cervical injection to identification of the sentinel lymph node in the right hemipelvis. The median range was 28 min (14-73) for true sentinel lymph node identification vs 33 min (23-74) for adipose-only sentinel lymph node identification (P = 0.02). Patient and surgeon factors did not impact the identification of sentinel lymph nodes over time. Adipose-only sentinel lymph nodes were more frequently identified in the initial cases and represent a potential complication to adapting sentinel lymph node biopsy without lymphadenectomy. The increase in adipose-only sentinel lymph node identification that was associated with time from cervical injection may represent delayed or disrupted uptake of indocyanine green.

Sentinel lymph nodes in vulvar cancer: Management dilemmas in patients with positive nodes and larger tumors

BackgroundAlthough sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy has been routinely used in the treatment of invasive squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), questions still remain regarding the management of patients with positive nodes, as well as its use in patients with larger tumors. MethodsRetrospective study of all patients at a single institution with primary vulvar cancer who had SLN biopsy (2008–2015). Patient and tumor characteristics were collected from hospital records. For patients with positive SLN and for those with tumors ≥40 mm, recurrence rates and location were specifically recorded. ResultsSLN biopsy was successful in 159 patients (245 groins). Median follow-up was 31 months.120 patients (187 groins) had a negative SLN without an inguinofemoral lymph node dissection (IFL); there were 6 ipsilateral groin recurrences (5%).7 patients had micrometastasis (≤2 mm) in the SLN and were treated by radiotherapy. There were no recurrences in the irradiated groins.19 patients with a positive unilateral SLN had bilateral IFL. One (5.3%) had a positive node in the contralateral groin. 9 patients with positive unilateral SLN had subsequent ipsilateral IFL; there were no groin recurrences in the contralateral groin.20 patients had tumor size ≥40 mm. 11 patients had a negative SLN biopsy, and thus no IFL; of these patients, 1 had an isolated groin recurrence (9%). ConclusionThese data suggest it is reasonable to omit a full groin dissection for micrometastatic disease in the SLN, and to perform a unilateral groin dissection in patients with unilateral SLN metastasis. SLN alone in larger tumors may have a higher groin recurrence rate.

Laparoscopic near-infrared fluorescent imaging as an alternative option for sentinel lymph node mapping in endometrial cancer: A prospective study

BackgroundTo evaluate feasibility of sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping by using near-infrared fluorescent imaging and indocyanine green (NIR/ICG) integrated laparoscopic system in clinically uterine-confined endometrial cancer. Materials and methodsPatients with clinically early-stage endometrial cancer were included in this prospective study. ICG was injected to the uterine cervix and NIR/ICG integrated laparoscopic system (Spies Full HD D-Light P ICG technology, Karl Storz, Tuttlingen, Germany) was used during the operations. SLN and/or suspicious lymph nodes were resected. Side specific lymphadenectomy was performed when mapping was unsuccessful. Systematic lymphadenectomy was completed following SLN algorithm steps. ResultsSeventy-one eligible patients were analyzed. The overall, unilateral and bilateral SLN detection rates were 95.7%, 18.3%, 77.4%, respectively. There were 8 (11.2%) patients with lymph node metastasis. One of them was isolated para-aortic node metastasis. Negative predictive value, sensitivity and false negative rate for detecting lymphatic spread were 98.4%, 87.5% and 1.5%, respectively. ConclusionSentinel lymph node mapping can easily be performed with high accuracy by using NIR/ICG integrated conventional laparoscopic system in endometrial cancer and almost all lymphatic spread can be detected.