Current status of sentinel lymph node mapping in the management of cervical cancer

Abstract

The status of regional lymph nodes is the most important prognostic factor in early cervical cancer patients. Pelvic lymph node dissections are routinely performed as a part of standard surgical treatment. Systematic pelvic lymphadenectomy is associated with short- and long-term morbidities. This review discusses single components of the sentinel lymph node mapping (SLNM) technique and results of the detection of sentinel lymph nodes. SLNM biopsy performed by an experienced team for small volume tumors (<2 cm) has high specific side detection rate, excellent negative-predictive value and high sensitivity. Uncommon lymphatic drainage has been reported in 15% of cervical cancer patients. There is sufficient data now to suggest that SLNM with 99mTc plus blue dye in the hands of a surgeon with extensive experience should prove to be an important part of individualized cervical cancer surgery and increase the safety of less radical or fertility-sparing surgery.

Keywords::

• cervical cancer
• fertility-sparring surgery
• individually tailored surgery
• sentinel lymph node

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Erratum

Financial & competing interest disclosure

This work was supported by grant MZ CR NT 13166 and by MH CZ-DRO, University Hospital Motol Prague, Czech Republic 00064203. The authors have no other relevant affiliation or financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents receiving or pending, or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.