Unusual localizations of sentinel lymph nodes in early stage cervical cancer: a review

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to systematically determine the frequency of unusual localizations of sentinel lymph node in patients with early stage cervical cancer.

Methods: We performed a comprehensive computer literature search of English and French language studies in human subjects on sentinel node procedures in PUBMED database up to December 2010. For each article two reviewers independently performed data extraction using a standard form to determine the route of unusual lymphatic spread of sentinel procedures in cervical cancer.

Results: According to our search, 83.7% of detected sentinel lymph nodes in patients with cervical cancer were in expected localizations (i.e., external iliac, obturator, internal iliac or interiliac). The unusual localizations were: 6.6% in the common iliac chain, 4.31% parametrial, 1.26% sacral, 2% in the lower para-aortic area and 0.07% in the inguinal chain.

Conclusion: The unusual localizations of sentinel lymph nodes impose to the gynecologic surgeons to be able to perform lymph node dissection in all the territories potentially affected.