Refereed journal article or data article (A1)
Practical aspects of sentinel node biopsy in oral cavity cancer: all nodes that emit a signal are important
List of Authors: Panula Elina, Hirvonen Jussi, Vahlberg Tero, Schrey Aleksi, Irjala Heikki
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Publication year: 2021
Journal: Acta Oto-Laryngologica
Journal name in source: ACTA OTO-LARYNGOLOGICA
Journal acronym: ACTA OTO-LARYNGOL
Volume number: 141
Issue number: 8
Start page: 820
End page: 824
Number of pages: 5
ISSN: 0001-6489
eISSN: 1651-2251
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00016489.2021.1945681
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/66604418
Background and objectives
Sentinel node biopsy (SNB) is a safe and effective way to examine an N0 neck in early-stage oral cavity cancer (OCC). In this study, we evaluated the variables of SNB detection, surgery, and outcome.
Material and methods
Ninety-two patients with N0 OCC examined with SNB were included. Number and brightness of nodes detected on preoperative imaging and during surgery were analyzed and compared with histological findings. Patients with recurrent disease were evaluated separately and the effect of smoking and alcohol consumption was analyzed.
Results
Eighteen patients had at least malignant cells in the sentinel lymph node (SLN); 18 patients had recurrent disease and nine patients died from the cancer. The negative predictive value of SNB was 95%. Six patients did not have metastases in the node with the strongest signal, but metastases were found in an SLN with a weaker signal. Smoking and alcohol consumption did not affect disease-specific or overall survival.
Conclusion and significance
SNB has been confirmed to be safe and effective in early stage N0 OCC. However, it is important to carefully harvest up to four hottest SLNs that emit a signal. Treatment of patients with only isolated tumor cells (ITC) in the SLN appears to be necessary.
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