Sentinel Node Mapping in Cervical and Endometrial Cancer: Indocyanine Green Versus Other Conventional Dyes-A Meta-Analysis

Anatomic Asymmetry in Sentinel Lymph Node Detection in Endometrial Cancer

STUDY OBJECTIVE

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.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

Tertiary academic medical center in Holon, Israel.

PATIENTS

Patients diagnosed with endometrial cancer, who underwent SLN mapping with Tc99m-FSC, ICG, or both, at our center between 2014 and 2019.

INTERVENTIONS

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.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

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%).

CONCLUSION

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.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy in endometrial cancer: state of the art

Endometrial cancer (EC) is the most common gynecological neoplasm in developed countries. In literature, there are discordant data regarding the therapeutic value of systematic lymphadenectomy whereas the importance of lymph node status for determining prognosis and the need for adjuvant treatment is undoubted. Given the low risk of lymph-node metastases in the apparent early-stage disease and the significant surgical and postoperative risks when performing a complete pelvic lymphadenectomy, the surgical approach in these patients is controversial, ranging from no nodal evaluation to comprehensive pelvic and aortic lymphadenectomy. The recent introduction of sentinel node mapping represents the mid-way between the execution and omission of node dissection in EC patients. Indeed, the sentinel node mapping has rapidly emerged as an alternative to complete lymphadenectomy to reduce morbidity. In the present review, we discuss the role of sentinel node mapping in the surgical management of EC evaluating all aspects of this procedure.

Diagnostic Accuracy and Clinical Impact of Sentinel Lymph Node Sampling in Endometrial Cancer at High Risk of Recurrence: A Meta-Analysis

Purpose. To assess the value of sentinel lymph node (SLN) sampling in high risk endometrial cancer according to the ESMO-ESGO-ESTRO classification. Methods. We performed a comprehensive search on PubMed for clinical trials evaluating SLN sampling in patients with high risk endometrial cancer: stage I endometrioid, grade 3, with at least 50% myometrial invasion, regardless of lymphovascular space invasion status; or stage II; or node-negative stage III endometrioid, no residual disease; or non-endometrioid (serous or clear cell or undifferentiated carcinoma, or carcinosarcoma). All patients underwent SLN sampling followed by pelvic with or without para-aortic lymphadenectomy. Results. We included 17 original studies concerning 1322 women. Mean detection rates were 89% for unilateral and 68% for bilateral. Pooled sensitivity was 88.5% (95%CI: 81.2–93.2%), negative predictive value was 96.0% (95%CI: 93.1–97.7%), and false negative rate was 11.5% (95%CI: 6.8; 18.8%). We noted heterogeneity in SLN techniques between studies, concerning the tracer and its detection, the injection site, the number of injections, and the surgical approach. Finally, we found a correlation between the number of patients included and the SLN sampling performances. Discussion. This meta-analysis estimated the SLN sampling performances in high risk endometrial cancer patients. Data from the literature show the feasibility, the safety, the limits, and the impact on surgical de-escalation of this technique. In conclusion, our study supports the hypothesis that SLN sampling could be a valuable technique to diagnose lymph node involvement for patients with high risk endometrial cancer in replacement of conventional lymphadenectomy. Consequently, randomized clinical trials are necessary to confirm this hypothesis.

Utility of Intraoperative Fluorescence Imaging in Gynecologic Surgery: Systematic Review and Consensus Statement

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to review the current knowledge on the utility of intraoperative fluorescence imaging in gynecologic surgery and to give evidence-based recommendations to improve the quality of care for women who undergo gynecologic surgery.

METHODS

A computer-based systematic review of the MEDLINE, CENTRAL, Pubmed, EMBASE, and SciSearch databases as well as institutional guidelines was performed. The time limit was set at 2000-2019. For the literature search, PRISMA guidelines were followed. A modified-Delphi method was performed in three rounds by a panel of experts to reach a consensus of conclusions and recommendations.

RESULTS

Indocyanine green (ICG) is used primarily in gynecology for sentinel node-mapping. In endometrial and cervical cancer, ICG is a feasible, safe, time-efficient, and reliable method for lymphatic mapping, with better bilateral detection rates. Experience in vulvar cancer is more limited, with ICG used together with Tc-99 m as a dual tracer and alone in video endoscopic inguinal lymphadenectomy. In early ovarian cancer, results are still preliminary but promising. Indocyanine green fluorescence imaging also is used for ureteral assessment, allowing intraoperative ureteral visualization, to reduce the risk of ureteral injury during gynecologic surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

For most gynecologic cancers, ICG fluorescence imaging is considered the tracer of choice for lymphatic mapping. The use of this new technology expands to a better ureteral assessment.

Usefulness of sentinel lymph node mapping using indocyanine green and fluorescent imaging in the diagnosis of lymph node metastasis in endometrial cancer

The lymph node status is the most important prognostic factor for endometrial cancer. This study aimed to assess whether sentinel lymph node mapping (SLNM) is applicable in endometrial cancer. A retrospective review of patients with endometrial cancer who were diagnosed and treated in Asan Medical Centre from September 2015 to December 2017 was conducted. One hundred patients underwent robotic (da Vinci®) or laparoscopic surgical treatment, including SLNM with indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence detection using the Firefly® and NIR/ICG systems. At least one lymph node area was observed in 100% of SLNM cases. Sentinel node detection and frozen biopsy were performed in all cases, and all patients with metastasis were found on SLNM. The sensitivity and negative predictive value were both 100% in the patient-by-patient and station-by-station analyses. SLNM appears to be a feasible method to reduce the morbidity and increase the detection rate in early-stage endometrial carcinoma.What is already known on this subject? There are studies that it is safe to diagnose the possibility of lymph node metastasis through sentinel lymph node mapping in endometrial cancer.What do the results of this study add? In this study, it is shown that the accuracy of sentinel lymph node mapping is 100% accurate.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practise and/or further research? Therefore, total lymphadenectomy will not be necessary for the future.

Sentinel lymph node intraoperative analysis in endometrial cancer

PURPOSE

Surgical staging in endometrial cancer has evolved and sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping has replaced a full pelvic and paraaortic lymphadenectomy in several cases. An intraoperative evaluation of SLN might identify patients who could benefit the most from a full lymphadenectomy. The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical relevance of frozen section of SLN.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis in patients with endometrial cancer who underwent SLN mapping with intraoperative evaluation at frozen section between February 2016 and September 2019 was performed. In case of metastatic involvement, a full lymphadenectomy was performed.

RESULTS

Fifty-eight patients met the inclusion criteria. Clinical-pathologic characteristics of the patients and surgical data were analyzed. Overall, bilateral and unilateral detection rates were 100% (58/58), 89.7% (52/58), and 10.3% (6/58), respectively. Eight patients had a stage IIIC disease at permanent section. Frozen section detected SLN metastases in four of eight patients. Of these, two were micrometastases and two were macrometastases. At frozen section of the SLNs, no macrometastases were misdiagnosed. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of frozen section in detecting metastases was 50%, 100%, 93%, 100% and 92.6%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The intraoperative evaluation of SLN in endometrial cancer accurately identifies patients with macrometastases. This is the cohort that might benefit the most of a full lymphadenectomy for a higher risk of additional lymph node metastases.

Potential risks in sentinel lymph node biopsy for cervical cancer: a single-institution pilot study

BACKGROUND

Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy is an attractive technique that is widely performed in many oncological surgeries. However, the potential risks in SLN biopsy for cervical cancer remains largely unclear.

METHODS

Seventy-five patients with histologically confirmed cervical cancer were enrolled between May 2014 and June 2016. SLN biopsies were performed followed by pelvic lymphadenectomies and all resected nodes were labeled according to their anatomic areas. Only bilateral detections of SLNs were considered successful. Patients' clinicopathologic feature, performance of SLN detection, and distributions of lymph node metastases were analyzed.

RESULTS

Of the 75 enrolled patients, at least one SLN was detected in 69 (92.0%), including 33 in bilateral and 36 in unilateral. SLNs were most detected in the obturator area (52 of 69 patients, 75.4%) and 26 (37.7%) patients presented SLNs in more than one area of hemipelvis. Lymphovascular invasion was found to be the only factor that adversely influenced SLN detection, while the tumor diameter, growth type, histological grade, deep stromal invasion, and neoadjuvant chemotherapy showed no significant impacts. Patients with lymphovascular invasion showed a significantly higher rate to have unsuccessful detection (90.9% versus 41.5%, P < 0.001) and lymph node metastasis (40.9% versus 3.8%, P < 0.001) compared with those without. Nodal metastases were confirmed in 11 patients, of whom 9 (81.8%) had lymphovascular invasion and 7 (63.6%) had non-SLN metastasis. The most frequently involved SLNs were obturator nodes (9/11, 81.8%). In addition, the parametrial nodes also have a high rate to be positive (4/11, 36.4%), although they were relatively less identified as SLNs. Besides, 3 patients showed metastases in the laterals without SLN detected.

CONCLUSIONS

In cervical cancer, lymphovascular invasion is a significant factor for unsuccessful SLN detection. The risk of having undetected metastasis is high when SLN is positive; therefore, further lymphadenectomy may be necessary for these patients.

Superparamagnetic iron oxide as a tracer for sentinel lymph node detection in uterine cancer: a pilot study

Sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping using dye or radioisotopes has been performed in patients with uterine cancer. Superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) can be handled safely and is taken up by lymph nodes (LNs); however, its efficacy in detecting SLNs in uterine cancer remains unknown. This pilot study evaluated the use of SPIO as a tracer for SLN detection in patients with uterine cancer. SPIO was injected into the uterine cervixes of 15 patients with uterine cancer scheduled for pelvic LN dissection. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed preoperatively. Five patients also underwent radioisotope injection and single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography. Dissected LNs were stained with iron and examined pathologically. Of the radioisotope-positive LNs, 92% were also SPIO/MRI-positive. SPIO/MRI and iron staining were positively correlated. SLNs were identified by iron staining in 93% of cases. Iron staining was strongly positive in two of the five areas of LN metastasis; these were considered SLNs. Staining was negative or very weak in the other three areas and lymph flow disturbance was considered. SPIO and radioisotopes are taken up similarly by SLNs. SPIO/MRI and iron staining may thus be useful for detection of SLNs and diagnosis of LN metastasis in patients with uterine cancer.

Technetium-99m-indocyanine green versus technetium-99m-methylene blue for sentinel lymph node biopsy in early-stage endometrial cancer

INTRODUCTION

The low accuracy of pre-operative imaging techniques for prediction of nodal status strengthens the relevance of sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy in endometrial cancer, although the optimal method for its detection is still under investigation. The increasing use of indocyanine green (ICG) has aroused concern about its enhanced visualization of lymphatic channels, which could lead to a specimen that is thought to be nodal tissue not subsequently yielding a lymph node on pathologic analysis ('empty node packet'). Our main objective was to compare the overall and bilateral detection rates for SLN biopsy using two combined techniques: technetium-99m-ICG (Tc-99m-ICG) versus technetium-99m-methylene blue (Tc-99m-MB). Our secondary aim was to compare the 'empty node packet' rates between the two cohorts.

METHODS

A prospective, non-randomized, single-center trial including patients diagnosed with endometrial cancer (any grade or histology) in pre-operative early stage, and operated on between February 2017 and July 2019. All tracers were injected intracervically. Pelvic and aortic lymphadenectomy were performed on patients at intermediate or high risk of recurrence pre-operatively. All SLNs were sent for intra-operative frozen section and afterwards processed following an ultrastaging protocol.

RESULTS

Eighty-four patients were included, 58% (n=49) in the Tc-99m-MB group and 42% (n=35) in the Tc-99m-ICG group. Overall detection rate was 93% and was not statistically different between the two groups. A better bilateral detection rate was observed among Tc-99m-ICG patients (69% vs 41%, p=0.012). The 'empty node packet' rate was 4% in the Tc-99m-ICG cohort and 0% in the Tc-99m-MB cohort (p=0.032).

DISCUSSION

Tc-99m-ICG is a feasible, safe technique for SLN biopsy in early-stage endometrial cancer, and appears to be superior in terms of bilateral detection to Tc-99m-MB. The addition of Tc-99m to ICG could decrease the rate of 'empty node packets' and better define the anatomic location of SLNs in patients with endometrial cancer.

Sentinel lymph node mapping in endometrial cancer: performance of hysteroscopic injection of tracers

OBJECTIVE

To report on the performance of hysteroscopic injection of tracers (indocyanine green (ICG) and technetium-99m (Tc-99m)) for sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping in endometrial cancer.

METHODS

Single-center retrospective evaluation of consecutive patients who underwent SLN mapping following hysteroscopic peritumoral injection of tracer. Detection rate (overall/bilateral/aortic) diagnostic accuracy, and oncologic outcomes were evaluated.

RESULTS

A total of 221 procedures met the inclusion criteria. Mean patient age was 60 (range 28-84) years and mean body mass index was 26.9 (range 15-47) kg/m² . In 164 cases (70.9%) mapping was performed laparoscopically. The overall detection rate of the technique was 94.1% (208/221 patients). Bilateral pelvic mapping was found in 62.5% of cases with at least one SLN detected and was more frequent using ICG than with Tc-99m (73.8% vs 53.3%; p<0.001). In 47.6% of cases SLNs mapped in both pelvic and aortic nodes, and in five cases (2.4%) only in the aortic area. In eight patients (3.8%) SLNs were found in aberrant (parametrial/presacral) areas. Mean number of detected SLNs was 3.7 (range 1-8). In 51.9% of cases at least one node other than SLNs was removed. Twenty-six patients (12.5%) had nodal involvement: 12 (46.2%) macrometastases, six (23.1%) micrometastases, and eight (30.7%) isolated tumor cells. In 12 cases (46.8%) the aortic area was involved. Overall, 6/221 (2.7%) patients had isolated para-aortic nodes. Three false-negative results were found, all in the Tc-99m group. All had isolated aortic metastases. Overall sensitivity was 88.5% (95% CI 71.7 to 100.0) and overall negative predictive value was 96.5% (95% CI 86.8 to 100.0). There were 10 (4.8%) recurrences: five abdominal/distant, four vaginal, and one nodal (in the aortic area following a unilateral mapping plus side-specific pelvic lymphadenectomy). Most recurrences (9/10 cases) were patients in whom a completion lymphadenectomy was performed. No deaths were reported after a mean follow-up of 47.7 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Hysteroscopic injection of tracers for SLN mapping in endometrial cancer is as accurate as cervical injection with a higher detection rate in the aortic area. ICG improves the bilateral detection rate. Adding lymphadenectomy to SLN mapping does not reduce the risk of relapse.

Does small volume metastatic lymph node disease affect long-term prognosis in early cervical cancer?

INTRODUCTION

As sentinel lymph node biopsy is evolving to an accepted standard of care, clinicians are being faced with more frequent cases of small volume nodal metastatic disease. The objective of this study is to describe the management and to measure the effect on recurrence rates of nodal micrometastasis and isolated tumor cells in patients with early stage cervical cancer at two high-volume centers.

METHODS

We conducted a review of prospectively collected patients with surgically treated cervical cancer who were found to have micrometastasis or isolated tumor cells on ultrastaging of the sentinel lymph node. Our practice is to follow patients for ≥5 years post-operatively either at our center or another cancer center closer to home.

RESULTS

Nineteen patients with small volume nodal disease were identified between 2006 and 2018. Median follow-up was 62 months. Ten (53%) had nodal micrometastatic disease, while nine (47%) had isolated tumor cells detected in the sentinel lymph node. Seven patients (37%) underwent completion pelvic lymphadenectomy and four of them also had para-aortic lymphadenectomy; there were no positive non-sentinel lymph nodes. The majority (74%) received adjuvant treatment, mostly driven by tumor factors. We observed two recurrences. Recurrence-free survival was comparable with historical cohorts of node negative patients, and adjuvant treatment did not seem to impact the recurrence rate (p=0.5).

CONCLUSION

Given the uncertainties around the prognostic significance of small volume nodal disease in cervical cancer, a large proportion of patients receive adjuvant treatment. We found no positive non-sentinel lymph nodes, suggesting that pelvic lymphadenectomy or para-aortic lymphadenectomy may not be of benefit in patients diagnosed with small volume nodal metastases. Recurrence-free survival in this group did not seem to be affected. However, given the small numbers of patients and lack of level 1 evidence, decisions should be individualized in accordance with patient preferences and tumor factors.

Brazilian Society of Surgical Oncology guidelines for surgical treatment of endometrial cancer in regions with limited resources

BACKGROUND

Approximately 70% of cancer-related deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. In addition to social and racial inequalities, treatment options in these countries are usually limited because of the lack of trained staff and equipment, limited patient access to health services, and a small number of clinical guidelines.

OBJECTIVES

The Brazilian Society of Surgical Oncology developed this guideline to address these barriers and guide physicians treating patients with endometrial cancer (EC) in regions with limited resources and few specialized centers.

METHODS

The guideline was prepared from 10 January to 25 October 20192019 by a multidisciplinary team of 56 experts to discuss the main obstacles faced by EC patients in Brazil. Thirteen questions considered critical to the surgical treatment of these patients were defined. The questions were assigned to groups that reviewed the literature and drafted preliminary recommendations. Following a review by the coordinators and a second review by all participants, the groups made final adjustments for presentations in meetings, classified the level of evidence, and voted on the recommendations.

RESULTS

For all questions including staging, fertility spearing treatment, genetic testing, sentinel lymph node use, surgical treatment, and other clinical relevant questions, major agreement was achieved by the participants, always using accessible alternatives.

CONCLUSIONS

It is possible to provide adequate treatment for most EC patients in resource-limited areas, but the first option should be referral to specialized centers with more resources.

Risk factors for failure of bilateral sentinel lymph node mapping in early-stage cervical cancer

BACKGROUND

The objective of this study was to determine clinical, tumoral and surgical factors associated with successful bilateral sentinel lymph node mapping (SBM) in early-stage cervical cancer.

METHODS

We performed an ancillary work on the data of two prospective trials on SLN biopsy for FIGO IA-IIA cervical cancer (SENTICOL I & II). Patients having Sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping for early-stage cervical cancer were included between 2005 and 2012 from 28 French oncologic centers. SLN was detected by a combined labeling technique (blue and isotopic).

RESULTS

405 patients were included for analysis: SLNs were identified on at least one side of the pelvis in 381 patients (94.1%) and bilaterally in 326 patients (80.5%). The mean age was 45.4 years [22-85 years]. Most patients had IB1 pathologic FIGO 2018 stage (81.3%) and squamous cell carcinoma (71%). Surgeries were mainly performed by minimally invasive approach (368 patients - 90.9%). By multivariate analysis, lower SBM rate was significantly associated with Age ≥70 years (ORa = 0.02, 95%CI = [0.001-0.28], p = 0.004), tumor size larger than 20 mm (ORa = 0.46,95%CI = [0.21-0.99], p = 0.048) and Body-mass index higher than 30 kg/m² (ORa = 0.28, 95%CI = [0.12-0.65], p = 0.003). SBM rate was significantly higher in high skills centers (>5patients/year) (ORa = 8.05, 95%CI = [2.06-31.50], p = 0.003) and in SENTICOL II (2009-2012) compared to SENTICOL I (2005-2007) (ORa = 2.6, 95%CI = [1.23-5.51], p = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

In early-stage cervical cancer, bilateral SLN detection rates is lower in patients aged more than 70years, patients with BMI≥30 kg/m² and larger tumor ≥20 mm whereas stronger experience of SLN biopsy technique improves bilateral SLN detection.

[Lymph node management in endometrial cancer]

In 2018, around 382,100 new cases of endometrial cancer (EC) were reported worldwide, accounting for about 4.4% of all new cases of cancer in women. In France, in 2018, the EC is the first gynecological cancer in incidence and the fourth cancer in women. The rationale for the therapeutic management of EC is based on the estimation of a theoretical risk of recurrence and lymph node metastasis using MRI and preoperative biopsy criteria. However, lymph node status remains the determining factor of adjuvant treatment. In order to reduce the morbidity of lymphadenectomy, the concept of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLN) has been developed. The SLN technique has evolved in recent years, thanks to the advent of robotics and the creation of fluorescence detection cameras. It has been shown that detection of SLN with Indocyanine Green (ICG) allows for more frequent bilateral migration of 88 to 100% and better detection of pelvic GS in 97% of cases with a decrease in morbidity. Recently, in view of the absence of a therapeutic role of lymph node staging, the operational risks and the delay of adjuvant treatments, in case of pelvic lymph node metastasis on definitive histological examination, the question of secondarily performing paraaortic lymphadenectomy arises. The SLN procedure, extended to all early-stage endometrial cancers, should lead to a major reduction in the use of secondary staging and better adaptation of adjuvant therapy.

[Sentinel lymph node biopsy in early-stage cervical cancer: current state of art]

Lymph node status is the most important prognostic factor of survival in women with early stage cervical cancer. Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy is an accurate method for the assessment of lymph nodal involvement in early-stages cervical cancer and has been increasingly used instead of systematic pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND). Less-radical lymph node dissection decreases the associated morbidity of PLND, especially the risk of lower-leg lymphoedema, which affects severely patient quality of life. SLN biopsy allows nodes ultrastaging and provides supplementary histological information by increasing the detection of tumor low-volume (isolated tumors cells and micrometastases). Moreover, SLN biopsy provides accurate anatomical information on pelvic lymphatic drainage pathway by identifying nodes outside of routine lymphadenectomy areas. Selection of a population at low-risk of nodal metastasis, a minimal training, and simple rules may ensure a low false negative rate. Several studies have shown that SLN mapping in these patients is feasible, with excellent detection rates and sensitivity. Combined detection with technetium-99 and blue dye has been widely used but recently, there has been increasing interest in the use of fluorescent dies such as indocyanine green (ICG) which would improve SLN detection. Although recent international guidelines recommend performing SLN biopsy in addition to PLND, SLN biopsy alone is not the gold-standard yet due to lack of prospective evidence, especially on long-term oncological safety. Some points remain controversial such as the low accuracy of intraoperative SLN status assessment by frozen section and the impact of micrometastasis on prognostic. The prospective randomized clinical trial SENTICOL III will answer to these problematics.

Accuracy of One-Step Nucleic Acid Amplification in Detecting Lymph Node Metastases in Endometrial Cancer

One-step nucleic acid amplification (OSNA) is used to intraoperatively detect sentinel lymph node metastases in breast cancer. OSNA has also been proposed in endometrial cancer, but evidence in this regard is unclear to define the diagnostic accuracy of OSNA in detecting lymph node metastases in endometrial cancer. A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed by searching 8 electronic databases from their inception to March 2019 for studies testing the diagnostic accuracy of OSNA in detecting sentinel lymph node metastasis in endometrial cancer. Pathologic ultrastaging was the reference standard. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratio (LR+ and LR-), diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) and area under the curve (AUC) on SROC curve were calculated. Four studies with 237 patients and 691 lymph nodes were included. OSNA showed sensitivity = 0.88, specificity = 0.93, LR + =17.95, LR- = 0.15, DOR = 191.23 and high diagnostic accuracy (AUC = 0.959). OSNA appears as a highly accurate tool for intraoperative assessment of sentinel lymph node in endometrial cancer.

Clinical management of early-stage cervical cancer: The role of sentinel lymph node biopsy in tumors ≤2 cm

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the experience with sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy in patients with early-stage cervical cancer at our hospital, and to analyze factors influencing the rate of false negatives.

STUDY DESIGN

This study was carried out at the Vall d'Hebron Hospital (Barcelona, Spain) between September 2000 and October 2016. All patients underwent SLN biopsy and systematic and bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy, followed by radical hysterectomy. SLNs were analyzed by the pathologist by staining with hematoxylin-eosin and immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

Patients (N = 128) had been diagnosed with early-stage cervical cancer (FIGO-2009 stages 1A2, IB1, and IIA1). The combined SLN detection rate (99-technecium and a blue dye) was 98.4%, bilateral in 76% of the patients. Positive SLNs were found in 19 patients (14.8%). Sensitivity of detection was 79.2% (CI95, 57.9-92.9), false negative rate 20.8% (CI95, 7.1-42.2), and negative predictive value 95.4% (CI95, 89.6-98.5). False negative cases were observed in 5 patients with tumors >2 cm and presenting lymphovascular space invasion. Micrometastases were detected during SLN ultrastaging in 3 patients (2.3%). The median follow-up was 8.24 years and the 5-year overall survival (OS) was 88.4% (CI95, 80.9-93.1).

CONCLUSION

SLN mapping and biopsy in early-stage cervical cancer is feasible and has high sensitivity to detect patients with initial metastases. The risk of false negatives could be lower in certain groups of patients, such as those with tumors ≤2 cm and no lymphovascular space invasion, but future studies will be required to test this hypothesis.

Triple tracer (blue dye, indocyanine green, and Tc99) compared to double tracer (indocyanine green and Tc99) for sentinel lymph node detection in endometrial cancer: a prospective study with random assignment

OBJECTIVE

Sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping is increasingly being used in the treatment of apparent early-stage endometrial cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether three tracers (blue dye, indocyanine green (ICG), and technetium-99 (Tc99)) performed better than two (ICG and Tc99).

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective study of all consecutive patients (n=163) diagnosed with clinical early-stage endometrial cancer from 2015 to 2017. All patients were randomly assigned to receive a mixture of ICG and Tc99 with or without blue dye. Subgroup analysis for detection rates was performed for each group (double versus triple tracer).

RESULTS

One hundred and fifty-seven patients met the inclusion criteria. Eighty patients received ICG and Tc99 with unilateral and bilateral SLN detection rates of 97.5% and 81.3%, respectively. Seventy-seven patients received all three tracers with unilateral and bilateral detection rates of 93.5% and 80.5%, respectively. Only one patient in the triple tracer group was detected by blue dye alone. No significant differences were noticed in unilateral or bilateral detection rates between the two groups, nor in the detection of lymph node metastasis.

CONCLUSION

The addition of blue dye to ICG and Tc99 did not demonstrate any improvement in SLN detection.

Robotic-Assisted Sentinel Lymph Node Mapping With Indocyanine Green in Pelvic Malignancies: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objective: Newer technologies such as near-infrared (NIR) imaging of the fluorescent dye indocyanine green (ICG) and daVinci Xi Surgical System have become promising tools for sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping. This meta-analysis was conducted to comprehensively evaluate the diagnostic value of SLN in assessing lymph nodal metastasis in pelvic malignancies, using ICG with NIR imaging in robotic-assisted surgery. Materials and Methods: A literature search was conducted using PubMed for studies in English before April 2019. The detection rate, sensitivity of SLN detection of metastatic disease, and factors associated with successful mapping (sample size, study design, mean age, mean body mass index, type of cancer) were synthesized for meta-analysis. Results: A total of 17 articles including 1,059 patients were finally included. The reported detection rates of SLN ranged from 76 to 100%, with a pooled average rate of 95% (95% CI: 93-97; 17 studies). The sensitivity of SLN detection of metastatic disease ranged from 50 to 100% and the pooled sensitivity was 86% (95% CI: 75-94; 8 studies). There were no complications related to ICG administration reported. Conclusions: NIR imaging system using ICG in robotic-assisted surgery is a feasible and safe method for SLN mapping. Due to its promising performance, it is considered to be an alternative to a complete pelvic lymph node dissection.

Current landscape and future perspective of sentinel node mapping in endometrial cancer

Endometrial cancer (EC) represents the most common gynecological neoplasm in developed countries. Surgery is the mainstay of treatment for EC. Although EC is characterized by a high prevalence several features regarding its management are still unclear. In particular the execution of lymphadenectomy is controversial. The recent introduction of sentinel node mapping represents the mid-way between the execution and omission of node dissection in EC patients. In the present review we discuss the emerging role of sentinel node mapping in EC. In addition, we discussed how type of tracers utilized and site of injection impacted on sentinel node detection rates. Future perspective regarding EC management are also discussed.

Use of a Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy Algorithm in a South African Population of Patients With Cervical Cancer and High Prevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection

OBJECTIVES

Cervical cancer is common in resource-poor settings with high prevalence of tuberculosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. There are no data regarding the sentinel lymph node (SLN) algorithm in these high-risk cancer populations. Our objectives were to establish the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of the SLN algorithm in cervical cancer and to compare the detection rate of indocyanine green (ICG) versus blue dye versus technetium Tc 99m nanocolloid (Tc).

METHODS

This prospective study was conducted at the University of Pretoria. Tc-nanocolloid tracer, ICG dye, and methylene blue (MB) were used to detect SLNs. Pathological ultrastaging was performed on hematoxylin-eosin- negative nodes.

RESULTS

Results of 72 women were analyzed. The mean age was 47.2 years, 5.5% had a history of tuberculosis, 18.1% had pelvic inflammatory disease, and 65.3% were HIV positive. The SLN detection rate was 65.3%. Detection rate of MB was 56.9%; Tc, 69.4%; ICG, 87.5%; and the combination of MB and Tc, 91.7%. Pelvic nodal metastases occurred in 26.4%. The sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, and positive predictive value of SLN biopsy were 85.7%, 100%, 100%, and 98.33%, respectively. The false-negative rate was 14.3%, and it was 0% if the algorithm was applied.

CONCLUSIONS

The SLN algorithm is a feasible option for use in cervical cancer women with a high prevalence of HIV infection. The detection rate is generally lower, but in select subgroups of women, it was comparable to that reported elsewhere. This is the first report of the use of SLN biopsy in a substantial group of HIV-infected women.

High risk endometrial cancer: Clues towards a revision of the therapeutic paradigm

INTRODUCTION

Endometrial cancer (EC) is a major cause of mortality worldwide with nearly 200 000 cases diagnosed annually. The recent ESMO-ESGO-ESTRO guidelines include a new classification defining a heterogeneous high-risk group of recurrence (HR) comprising: (i) endometrioid (type 1) FIGO stage IB grade 3 tumors (type 1/G3ECs), (ii) non-endometrioid tumors (type 2) and (iii) advanced stages whatever the histological type (Colombo et al., 2016).

AREAS COVERED

The aim of this review is to summarize current evidence for therapeutic approaches in HR-EC according to the updated ESMO-ESGO-ESTRO classification by discussing the following issues: i) HR-EC heterogeneity, (ii) prognostic factors and current classification, and (iii) optimal staging strategies (site and extent) and the role of adjuvant treatment.

EXPERT COMMENTARY

HR-EC treatment is based on surgery, radiation therapy, brachytherapy, and chemotherapy, either alone or sequentially, in combination with other treatments depending on disease stage, histological grade and risk group. Specific trials are needed to establish the role of systematic pelvic and paraaortic lymphadenectomy, adjuvant therapies and targeted drugs. Although molecular characterization has been reported to customize therapeutic strategies and thereby improve therapeutic outcomes in EC, none of the targeted agents investigated (antiangiogenic and mTOR/PI3K pathway inhibitor agents) have resulted in a change in clinical practice in HR-EC.

Sentinel lymph node mapping using indocyanine green in patients with uterine and cervical neoplasms: restrictions of the method

Purpose

To establish the surgical, demographic and histopathological factors associated with inaccurate sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) identification using indocyanine green (ICG) and near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging in uterine and cervical neoplasms during both open and laparoscopic surgery.

Methods

We reviewed patients with atypical endometrial hyperplasia (AEH), clinical stage I and II cervical cancer or uterine malignancies who underwent primary surgery with SLN mapping between September 2015 and January 2018. An analysis of patients’ demographics, tumor factors and surgical approach was conducted. Bilateral and overall detection rates were calculated and univariate analysis was performed to estimate factors associated with failed SLN mapping.

Results

A total of 32 patients with uterine and cervical neoplasms were included in the study. The overall detection rate of the SLN was 84% and bilateral detection rate was 75%. There were no statistically relevant differences in overall and bilateral SLN detection rates by BMI, surgical approach or age. Regarding endometrial cancer, there were no differences in SLN detection rates when comparing tumor grade, histology nor myometrial invasion. For SLN detection failure, only the presence of metastatic lymph nodes and lack of surgical experience significantly increased the disability to detect SLNs (p = 0.03, p = 0.04, respectively).

Conclusions

SLN mapping technique using NIR fluorescence imaging with ICG appears to be accurate method in most of the patients with cervical or endometrial carcinoma, regardless of demographic characteristics, tumor-related features and surgical approach. Surgeons’ expertise in that field allows obtaining excellent detection rates.

SLN mapping in early-stage cervical cancer as a minimal-invasive triaging tool for multimodal treatment

BACKGROUND

To evaluate sensitivity, false negative rate and negative predictive value of the combination of sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping and frozen section (FS) in triaging cervical cancer patients to a definitive chemo-radiotherapy.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of patients with histologically proven cervical cancer undergoing laparoscopic SLN mapping and frozen section of the SLNs followed by a completion radical hysterectomy, pelvic and/or paraarotic lymphadenectomy. Sensitivity, false negative rate and negative predictive value of the SLN mapping, of the frozen section and of the combination of the two in identifying micro- and macrometastases were calculated.

RESULTS

One-hundred and four patients with cervical cancer underwent surgery. Of these, 87 (83.7%) had bilateral detection rates at the SLN mapping and underwent FS evaluation and were selected for statistical analysis. Twenty-five patients had lymph nodal metastases at H&E staining. Of these, 24 displayed metastatic disease to the SLNs and one to a NSLN accounting for a FN rate of 4.0%. Metastases were identified in 21 patients at the FS analysis. Four patients had metastases in the SLNs that were missed at the FS analysis. The FN rate of the FS is 12.5% if we excluded isolated tumour cells in the analysis. The FN rate of the combined methodology (SLN mapping and FS of the SLN) is 16%. Twenty-one out of 25 patients (84.0%) could correctly be triaged to a definitive chemo-radiotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of SLN mapping and FS of the SLNs is efficient in triaging patients to a definitive chemo-radiotherapy.

Update on radioguided surgery: from international consensus on sentinel node in head and neck cancer to the advances on gynaecological tumors and localization of non-palpable lesions

The aim of this review is to provide an updated perspective on different fields of radioguided surgery. With reference to the sentinel lymph node biopsy in oral squamous cell carcinoma, we present the results of the interactive debate held at the recent Congress of our specialty about the more relevant aspects of the London Consensus. Drainage peculiarities and indications according to the current guidelines on gynaecological tumours, endometrial and cervical cancer, are detailed and new scenarios for nuclear medicine physicians are presented; robotic surgery and hybrid tracers, for instance. Moreover, the notable growth in radioguided surgery indications for non-palpable lesions, widely used in mammary pathology, make it advisable to update two procedures which have shown satisfying results, such as the solitary pulmonary nodule and the osteoid osteoma.

Surgical staging in endometrial cancer

In several malignancies, it has been demonstrated that the lymph nodal status is the most important pathologic factor affecting prognosis and giving the indication to further adjuvant treatment. The surgical assessment of the lymph nodal status in endometrial cancer is debated since 30 years. Recently, the sentinel lymph node mapping is rapidly gaining clinical acceptance in endometrial cancer. The adoption of Indocyanine Green as a safe and user friendly tracer for sentinel lymph node mapping increased the speed to which this procedure is getting applied in clinical practice. As a consequence of this rapid growth, several fundamental questions have been raised and are still debatable. In this manuscript, we discuss the importance of a known pathological lymph nodal status, the technique of the sentinel lymph node mapping with the reported false negative rates and detection rates according to the different tracers adopted, and the clinical scenarios in which a sentinel lymph node mapping could be employed.

Present status of sentinel lymph node biopsy in cervical cancer

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women, and seventh overall. This disease represents a medical, economic and social burden. In early FIGO stage patients (IA, IB1 and IIA1), nodal involvement is the most important prognostic factor. Imaging evaluation of nodal metastasis is of limited value. In order to determine lymph node involvement, allow loco-regional control of the disease, define the need for adjuvant radiotherapy and improve survival, standard surgery for early disease is radical hysterectomy with systematic pelvic lymphadenectomy. However, this surgical treatment has risks and complications: longer operative time, larger blood loss, neurovascular or ureteral injury, lower-limb lymphedema, symptomatic lymphocysts, hydronephrosis. A method that allows to define the presence of regional metastasis with less morbidity and equal or greater precision is particularly relevant. The use of the sentinel lymph node biopsy is intended to reach that purpose. The present study reviews recent literature on the role of sentinel lymph node biopsy in cervical cancer, analyzing its indications and contraindications, injection and detection techniques, tracers used, surgical and pathological approaches and its applicability in up-to-date clinical practice.

Indocyanine green can stand alone in detecting sentinel lymph nodes in cervical cancer

OBJECTIVES

The effectiveness of indocyanine green (ICG) dye for detecting sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) in cervical cancer compared with other tracers is unknown. This study aimed to assess the validity of ICG dye in detecting SLNs in cervical cancer preoperatively.

METHODS

We performed a literature search for identifying eligible articles from PubMed database using the search terms "cervical cancer", "sentinel lymph node", "indocyanine green", "blue dyes", "human serum albumin", and "technetium-99 radiocolloid". We performed a meta-analysis. Comparison of the overall, bilateral, and unilateral detection rates of the different tracers was the primary goal. Comparison of the false-negative rate among the tracers was the secondary goal.

RESULTS

Only eight retrospective studies including 661 patients were included. ICG versus combinations of three other tracers showed significantly higher bilateral and unilateral detection rates, but no difference in the overall rate of detecting SLNs. ICG had a higher bilateral detection rate than blue dye and technetium-99. Absorbing human serum albumin into ICG as a lymphatic tracer did not show a difference in detection rate compared with ICG alone.

CONCLUSIONS

ICG is superior and better than other tracers, and absorbing human serum albumin as a lymphatic tracer is not required in patients with cervical cancer.

Sentinel node biopsy for treatment of endometrial cancer: current perspectives

The risk of lymph nodal metastases in endometrial cancer varies greatly according to the characteristics of the primary tumor. Surgical staging with a systematic lymphadenectomy in endometrial cancer is debated since three decades. On one hand, it provides important pathological information on the spread of the tumor allowing for an appropriate decision making on adjuvant treatment but on the other side it is characterized by a non-negligible short and long-term morbidity. In the past decade, various efforts have been made in the attempt to apply the concept of the sentinel lymph node mapping in endometrial cancer. The sentinel lymph node mapping has the potential to provide the necessary pathological lymph nodal information at a reasonable cost in terms of morbidity. In this review, the most relevant aspects of the sentinel lymph node mapping in endometrial cancer are summarized. Furthermore, the performance in terms of false negative rates and detection rates, the clinical value of the pathological ultrastaging, its clinical applicability in different scenarios including patients preoperatively considered to be at low or at high risk are discussed. Oncological outcome of the patients who have been submitted to a sentinel lymph node mapping as compared to a full lymhadenectomy are presented as well as technical aspects to improve the performance of the surgical technique.

Near-infrared fluorescence for detection of sentinel lymph nodes in women with cervical and uterine cancers (FILM): a randomised, phase 3, multicentre, non-inferiority trial

BACKGROUND

Accurate identification of sentinel lymph nodes in patients with cancer improves detection of metastatic disease and decreases surgical morbidity. We sought to establish whether indocyanine green fluorescent dye is non-inferior to isosulfan blue dye in detecting sentinel lymph nodes in women with cervical and uterine cancers.

METHODS

In this non-inferiority, within-patient comparison study, patients aged 18 years or older with clinical stage I endometrial or cervical cancer undergoing curative surgery were randomly assigned 1:1 to lymphatic mapping with isosulfan blue dye (visualised by white light) followed by indocyanine green (visualised by near-infrared imaging), or indocyanine green followed by isosulfan blue dye. Permuted block randomisation with stratification by study site was done with a computerised random number generator. All participants were masked to their randomisation assignment until after the procedure; however, investigators were not masked to the procedure used. Laparoscopic surgery with the PINPOINT near-infrared fluorescence imaging system (Stryker, Kalamazoo, MI, USA) was used in all cases. The primary outcome was efficacy of intraoperative indocyanine green with near-infrared fluorescence imaging versus that of isosulfan blue dye in the identification of lymph nodes, defined as the number of lymph nodes identified by indocyanine green and isosulfan blue dye, respectively (and confirmed as lymphoid tissue by histology), divided by the number of lymph nodes identified intraoperatively and excised. The study had a 5% non-inferiority margin needed to show non-inferiority of the frequency of lymph node detection with indocyanine green to that with isosulfan blue dye with 80% power at a 5% two-sided significance level. Analyses were done in both per-protocol and modified intention-to-treat populations. The trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02209532, and is completed and closed.

FINDINGS

Between Dec 21, 2015, and June 19, 2017, 180 patients were enrolled and randomly assigned to the two groups (90 to each group); 176 patients received the intervention and were evaluable (modified intention-to-treat population). 13 patients with major protocol violations were subsequently excluded from the per-protocol population. 517 sentinel nodes were identified in the per-protocol population (n=163), of which 478 (92%) were confirmed to be lymph nodes on pathological processing: 219 (92%) of 238 nodes that were both blue and green, all seven nodes that were blue only, and 252 (95%) of 265 nodes that were green only (p=0·33). Seven sentinel lymph nodes were neither blue nor green but were removed for appearing suspicious or enlarged on visual examination. In total, 471 (97%) of 485 lymph nodes were identified with the green dye and 226 (47%) with the blue dye (difference 50%, 95% CI 39-62; p<0·0001). In the modified intention-to-treat population (n=176), 545 nodes were identified, of which 513 (94%) were confirmed to be lymph nodes on pathological processing: 229 (92%) of 248 nodes that were both blue and green, all nine nodes that were blue only, and 266 (95%) of 279 nodes that were green only (p=0·30). Nine sentinal lymph nodes were neither blue nor green but were removed for appearing suspicious or enlarged on visual examination. 495 (96%) of 513 nodes were identified with the green dye and 238 (46%) with the blue dye (50%, 39-61; p<0·0001).

INTERPRETATION

Indocyanine green dye with near-infrared fluorescence imaging identified more sentinel nodes than isosulfan blue dye in women with cervical and uterine cancers, with no difference in the pathological confirmation of nodal tissue between the two mapping substances.

FUNDING

Novadaq.

Computer Tomography-Guided Percutaneous Indocyanine Green Injection for Intraoperative Mapping of Metastatic Suspected Lesions

Introduction: Surgical treatment in oncology is one of the main part concerning the surveillance rate of the patient in case of tumor recurrence. Metastatic suspected lesions are mostly located in the abdomen or pelvis and are diagnosed by PET, MRI, or CT scan. Especially surgery of small lesions in recurrent disease for diagnostic or therapeutic purpose is often challenging.

Material and Methods: We report a case series of 3 patients who were treated in our department due to a metastatic suspected lesion in PET-CT in follow up. For histological confirmation we performed a laparoscopy using a near infrared camera (NIR) for an improved visualization of the metastatic suspected lesion during surgical treatment. Previously the lesion was marked with an amount of Indocyanine Green (ICG) via computer tomography-guided percutaneous injection. The lesion was identified via NIR camera. While changing the camera in NIR mode, it show up as a blue spot due to the fluorescent signal. After correct identification it was removed and send to pathology.

Results: In all 3 cases they confirmed the diagnosis of a metastatic lesion. Complication occur in just one case, where the metastatic lymph node infiltrated the external iliac vein, which led to a high blood loss. In this case a vascular interposition had to be done.

Conclusions: Because of separate wavelengths, which are used for illumination and recording, only the marked area is visible, not the background.Due to correct identification, resection of the lesion was improved and healthy surrounding tissue could have been spared.

Retrospective validation of the laparoscopic ICG SLN mapping in patients with grade 3 endometrial cancer

PURPOSE

To evaluate the sensitivity, negative predictive value (NPV) and false-negative (FN) rate of the near infrared (NIR) indocyanine green (ICG) sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping in patients with poorly differentiated endometrial cancer who have undergone a full pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy after SLN mapping.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective analysis of patients with endometrial cancer undergoing a laparoscopic NIR-ICG SLN mapping followed by a systematic pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy. Inclusion criteria were a grade 3 endometrial cancer or a high-risk histology (papillary serous, clear cell carcinoma, carcinosarcoma, and neuroendocrine carcinoma) and a completion pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy to the renal vessels after SLN mapping. Overall and bilateral detection rates, sensitivity, NPV, and FN rates were calculated.

RESULTS

From December 2012 until January 2017, 42 patients fulfilled inclusion criteria. Overall and bilateral detection rates were 100 and 90.5%, respectively. Overall, 23.8% of the patients had lymph node metastases. In one patient, despite negative bilateral pelvic SLNs, a metastatic non-SLN-isolated para-aortic metastasis was detected. This NSLN was clinically suspicious and sent to frozen section analysis during the surgery. FN rate, sensitivity, and NPV were 10, 90, and 97.1%, respectively. For the SLN mapping algorithm, FN rate, sensitivity, and NPV were 0, 100, and 100%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic NIR-ICG SLN mapping in high-risk endometrial cancer patients has acceptable sensitivity, FN rate, and NPV.

Early Cervical Cancer: Current Dilemmas of Staging and Surgery

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Advances in cervical cancer screening and treatment have resulted in high cure rates in developed countries for early-stage disease. Current research focuses on minimizing morbidity and maximizing quality of life.

RECENT FINDINGS

Imaging has been disappointing in identifying small volume metastases. Sentinel lymph node biopsy represents a significant advantage with high sensitivity, low false negative rates, reduced morbidity, and equivalent survival in recent studies compared to pelvic lymphadenectomy. Non-radical surgical options are currently being investigated for early cervical cancer in a number of large prospective studies in patients at low risk for metastases. Evidence suggests that sentinel lymph node biopsy and non-radical surgery are safe approaches for the staging and management of early cervical cancer in appropriately selected patients with the potential to significantly reduce treatment-related morbidity.

Sentinel lymph node in cervical cancer

Background: Cervical cancer is the second most common type of cancer among women. Effective screening programs can help cancer detection in early phases and reduce death. Metastasis to lymph nodes is one of the most prognostic factors in patients who underwent surgery. Also, a positive result from pathology report alert oncologist as a cause of death. Sentinel lymph node biopsy has been widely studied and clinically used for many types of cancer.

Methods: Two techniques exist for detecting sentinel node in cervical cancer, which are Blue dye and gamma probe with radioactive isotope (99mTc). Moreover, lymphoscintigraphy has many advantages over the stain method. Detecting the sentinel node is performed via laparoscopy or laparotomy; former method is better and more accurate.

Results: Various researchers have focused on this method and its positive results; its superiority against full lymphadenectomy has been declared in previous studies. Moreover, the role of sentinel lymph nodes biopsy in cervical cancer is still being extensively studied. Sentinel lymph nodes (SLN) method has a higher accuracy level to detect metastasis.

Conclusion: Hence, it can be considered as a more appropriate alternative for pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND), which is a standard technique. Altering the method to a standard clinical method needs in-depth researches and studies.

The Efficacy of Fibrin Sealant Patches in Reducing the Incidence of Lymphatic Morbidity After Radical Lymphadenectomy: A Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Although pivotal in the oncological management of most tumors, radical lymphadenectomy is associated with a significant number of lymphatic complications. The aim of this meta-analysis is to evaluate the efficacy of fibrinogen sealant patches in reducing lymphadenectomy-related postoperative complications.

METHODS/MATERIALS

The electronic databases PubMed, Medline, and Scopus were searched using the terms "lymphadenectomy" or "lymph node dissection" and "TachoSil," "TachoComb," or "fibrin sealant patch." Series evaluating the efficacy of fibrin-thrombin collagen sealant patches were included in the meta-analysis.

RESULTS

Overall, 26 studies were retrieved through the literature search. Ten studies including 720 patients met selection criteria. The use of fibrin-thrombin sealant patches to the sole scope of reducing lymphadenectomy-related complications significantly reduced the incidence of lymphocele, symptomatic lymphocele, the need of percutaneous drainage procedures, the volume of lymph drained, and the duration of the drainage. No effect on wound and/or lymphocele infection was noted.

CONCLUSIONS

This meta-analysis demonstrates that the use of fibrin-thrombin sealant patches significantly reduces the total volume of lymph drained, the duration of the drainage, the incidence of lymphocele and symptomatic lymphocele, and the need for postoperative percutaneous drainage procedures. Its use does not affect the incidence of wound or lymphocele infections.

Sentinel Lymph Nodes Mapping in Cervical Cancer a Comprehensive Review

Objective

A comprehensive literature search for more recent studies pertaining to sentinel lymph node mapping in the surveillance of cervical cancer to assess if sentinel lymph node mapping has sensitivity and specificity for evaluation of the disease; assessment of posttreatment response and disease recurrence in cervical cancer.

Materials and Methods

The literature review has been constructed on a step wise study design that includes 5 major steps. This includes search for relevant publications in various available databases, application of inclusion and exclusion criteria for the selection of relevant publications, assessment of quality of the studies included, extraction of the relevant data and coherent synthesis of the data.

Results

The search yielded numerous studies pertaining to sentinel lymph node mapping, especially on the recent trends, comparison between various modalities and evaluation of the technique. Evaluation studies have appraised high sensitivity, high negative predictive values and low false-negative rate for metastasis detection using sentinel lymph node mapping. Comparative studies have established that of all the modalities for sentinel lymph node mapping, indocyanine green sentinel lymph node mapping has higher overall and bilateral detection rates. Corroboration of the deductions of these studies further establishes that the sentinel node detection rate and sensitivity are strongly correlated to the method or technique of mapping and the history of preoperative neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Conclusions

The review takes us to the strong conclusion that sentinel lymph node mapping is an ideal technique for detection of sentinel lymph nodes in cervical cancer patients with excellent detection rates and high sensitivity. The review also takes us to the supposition that a routine clinical evaluation of sentinel lymph nodes is feasible and a real-time florescence mapping with indocyanine green dye gives better statistically significant overall and bilateral detection than methylene blue.

Comparison of sentinel lymph node detection performances using blue dye in conjunction with indocyanine green or radioisotope in breast cancer patients: a prospective single-center randomized study

Objective:

This randomized study aimed to compare the clinical efficacy between the novel dual tracer composed of indocyanine green (ICG) and blue dye (BD) and the conventional dual tracer composed of radioisotope and BD for sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping in patients with breast cancer.

Methods:

This study enrolled 471 clinically lymph node-negative patients with primary breast cancer. All patients underwent mastectomy, and those undergoing sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) were randomized to receive blue dye plus radioisotope (RB group) or BD plus ICG (IB group). The detection performances on SLN identification rate, positive SLN counts, detection sensitivity, and false-negative rate were compared between the two groups.

Results:

In the IB group, 97% (194/200) of the patients who underwent the ICG and BD dual tracer injection showed fluorescent-positive lymphatic vessels within 2–5 min. The identification rate of SLNs was comparable between the IB group (99.0%, 198/200) and the RB group (99.6%, 270/271) (P = 0.79). No significant differences were observed in the identification rate of metastatic SLNs (22.5% vs. 22.9%, P > 0.05, RB group vs. IB group, the same below), positive SLN counts (3.72 ± 2.28 vs. 3.91 ± 2.13, P > 0.05), positive metastatic SLN counts (0.38 ± 0.84 vs. 0.34 ± 0.78, P > 0.05), SLNB detection sensitivity (94.4% vs. 92.5%, P > 0.05), or false-negative rate (5.6% vs. 7.5%, P > 0.05) between the two groups.

Conclusions:

ICG can be used as a promising alternative tracer for radioisotope in SLN mapping, and when it is combined with BD in lymphangiography, it offers comparable detection sensitivity compared to the conventional lymphatic mapping strategies that are widely used in clinical practice.

Role of Indocyanine Green in Fluorescence Imaging with Near-Infrared Light to Identify Sentinel Lymph Nodes, Lymphatic Vessels and Pathways Prior to Surgery - A Critical Evaluation of Options

Modern surgical strategies aim to reduce trauma by using functional imaging to improve surgical outcomes. This reviews considers and evaluates the importance of the fluorescent dye indocyanine green (ICG) to visualize lymph nodes, lymphatic pathways and vessels and tissue borders in an interdisciplinary setting. The work is based on a selective search of the literature in PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar and the authors' own clinical experience. Because of its simple, radiation-free and uncomplicated application, ICG has become an important clinical indicator in recent years. In oncologic surgery ICG is used extensively to identify sentinel lymph nodes with promising results. In some studies, the detection rates with ICG have been better than the rates obtained with established procedures. When ICG is used for visualization and the quantification of tissue perfusion, it can lead to fewer cases of anastomotic insufficiency or transplant necrosis. The use of ICG for the imaging of organ borders, flap plasty borders and postoperative vascularization has also been scientifically evaluated. Combining the easily applied ICG dye with technical options for intraoperative and interventional visualization has the potential to create new functional imaging procedures which, in future, could expand or even replace existing established surgical techniques, particularly the techniques used for sentinel lymph node and anastomosis imaging.

Image-guided surgery in gynecologic oncology

Image-guided surgery is a relevant way to reduce surgical morbidity and maximize cytoreductive surgery approach especially in ovarian cancer. Sentinel lymph node detection is a promising approach to avoid radical lymph node dissection and is slightly becoming standard in daily practice in endometrial and cervical cancer surgery even if it needs to be evaluated more precisely. Regarding carcinomatosis of ovarian origin, detection and treatment of microscopic disease could be appropriate to avoid local recurrences. Photodiagnosis and photodynamic therapy are innovative techniques that allow to precise limits of excision (fluorescence-guided surgery) and to treat microscopic disease. Further developments of those strategies are necessary to become standard diagnosis tools and treatment options.