Sentinel lymph node biopsy in early-stage cervical cancer: Utility of intraoperative versus postoperative assessment

Diagnostic accuracy of sentinel lymph node frozen section analysis in patients with early-stage cervical cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To assess the diagnostic accuracy of intraoperative SLN frozen section analysis compared with ultrastaging in patients with early-stage cervical cancer.

METHODS

A systematic literature review was conducted following the PRISMA checklist. MEDLINE (via Ovid), Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched from inception until February 2023. The inclusion criteria were patients with early-stage cervical cancer (2018 FIGO stage I-II), consisting of the histological subtype squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, or adenosquamous carcinoma (≥90% of the patients in each study), who underwent SLN detection (with any tracer) and intraoperative frozen section followed by SLN ultrastaging. Randomized controlled trials, prospective and retrospective observational studies were considered. The detection rates and measures of diagnostic accuracy were pooled using a random effects univariate model. A preplanned subgroup meta-analysis was conducted, with isolated tumor cells excluded as positive lymph nodes. The review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023397147).

RESULTS

The search identified 190 articles, with 153 studies considered potentially eligible after removing duplicates. Fourteen studies met the selection criteria, including a total of 1720 patients. Seven studies were retrospective, and the other seven were prospective. Frozen section analysis detected 159 of 292 (54.5%) patients with lymph node metastases. In 281 patients the type of volume metastasis was reported: 1 of 41 (2.4%) patients had isolated tumor cells, 21 of 78 (26.9%) patients had micrometastases, and 133 of 162 (82.1%) patients had macrometastases. The pooled sensitivity of intraoperative SLN frozen section analysis was 65% (95% CI, 51-77%) for macrometastases, micrometastases, and isolated tumor cells. When we excluded patients with isolated tumor cells, the pooled sensitivity increased to 72% (95% CI, 60-82%).

CONCLUSION

SLN frozen section detects 65% of lymph node metastases compared with SLN ultrastaging and may prevent unnecessary radical surgery in some patients with early-stage cervical cancer.

Clinical Study of Sentinel Lymph Node Detection to Evaluate Pelvic Lymph Node Metastasis to Determine the Prognosis of Patients with Early Cervical Cancer

Objective

Lymph node status is one of the most important prognostic factors for uterine cervical cancer. Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy has emerged as a potential alternative to systematic lymphadenectomy for the lymph node mapping in such patients. However, the SLN metastasis detection via SLN biopsy in early-stage cervical cancer remains controversial. The current study is aimed at investigating the feasibility and accuracy of combined tracer method for localization of SLN in initial stages of cervical cancer and to evaluate the clinical value of SLN biopsy in replacing pelvic lymph node resection.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 348 cases who were admitted to the Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Shandong Provincial Cancer Hospital, China, between February 2003 and June 2018 with FIGO stage IA2 to IIA2 cervical cancer and undergone through SLN biopsy. Methylthioninium chloride was injected in combination with ^99mtechnetium-labeled sulfur colloid prior to surgery to these patients. SLNs were identified intraoperatively, excised, and subsequently submitted to fast frozen section. The detection rates, accuracy, sensitivity, coincidence rate, false negative rate, and negative predictive values of these cases were estimated, and the follow-up outcomes were carefully observed. Chi squared test or Fisher's exact test was employed for a comparison of the categorical variables. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard models were used for estimation of relationships between overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) and prognostic factors.

Results

The total detection rate of SLN was 97.1% (338/348), and identification of bilateral SLN was successful in 237 patients (70.1%). The patient's tumor size, FIGO stage, lymph node metastasis, and depth of invasion had statistically significant differences in SLN detection rates. The detection rate had inverse relation with tumors size (>4 cm), invasive depth > 2/3, lymph node positive, late staging, and preoperative radiotherapy. 117 positive SLNs were detected in 73 patients. The negative predictive value, sensitivity, false negative rate, and coincidence rate and were 97.7%, 92.4%, 7.6%, and 95.4%, respectively. In patients whose tumor size were ≦ 4 cm, the false negative rate was 4.55% (2/44), whereas it was 0 in patients with tumor size≦2 cm. The respective 1, 3, and 5-year OS was 100%, 94.8%, and 91.8%, respectively, whereas DFS rate for 1, 3, and 5 years was 96.7%, 92%, and 89.6%, respectively. The lymph node was positive, tumor size, the depth of invasion, and staging were statistically different from the recurrence rate and survival rate of patients (p < 0.05). When tumor metastasis exceeded SLN, the recurrence rate was significantly increased, and survival rate is significantly reduced (p < 0.05, p < 0.01, p < 0.05, respectively).

Conclusions

The identification of SLN combined with ^99mtechnetium-labeled sulfur colloid and methylthioninium chloride has a good accuracy and is safe for the assessment of the status of pelvic nodes in patients with initial stage cervical cancer. Nuclide as a tracer has low dependence on objective conditions and doctors' technology and has a good detection rate. In our study, we believe that SLN biopsy is feasible when the tumor is ≦ 4 cm. Large scale clinical trials are required in China expand the sample size and validate the results of this study.

Sentinel lymph node mapping in early-stage cervical cancer: Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The value of sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping for early-stage cervical cancer remains controversial. Therefore, we collected data to investigate the feasibility and diagnostic accuracy of SLN in patients with early-stage (IA-IIA) cervical cancer.

METHODS

We searched Embase, PubMed, and the Cochrane Library databases issued before June 1, 2020. The sample size of the selected study was at least 10 patients with early-stage (IA-IIA) cervical cancer, the pooled detection rates and the separate detection rate (overall detection rate, bilateral detection rate) using blue dye with Tc, technetium 99 (Tc) and indocyanine green (ICG) technique of early-stage cervical cancer was reported. R-3.6.1 software was used to evaluate pooled detection rate and sensitivity.

RESULTS

Two thousand one hundred sixty-four patients included for analysis in 28 studies ranging from 12 to 405 patients. The combined overall detection rate of SLN mapping was 95% with a 72% pooled bilateral detection rate. The sensitivity of the combined overall detection rate of SLN mapping was 94.99% as well as a sensitivity of 72.43% bilateral detection rate. The overall detection rate of SLN was 96% for blue dye with Tc, 95% for Tc, 98% for ICG technique. The bilateral detection rate of SLN was 76% for blue dye with Tc, 63% for Tc, 85% for ICG technique. The sensitivity of the overall detection rate of SLN mapping was 97.76% as well as a sensitivity of 84.96% bilateral detection rate of ICG technique.

CONCLUSION

In early-stage cervical cancer, overall detection rate of SLN mapping is elevated while bilateral detection rate is lower. The overall detection rate (98%) as well as bilateral rate (85%) of ICG seems to be a better SLN mapping technique among the method of SLN mapping (using blue dye with Tc, Tc or ICG). We believe SLN mapping may be considered contemporary technique which could provide additional benefits over traditional pelvic lymphadenectomy. While promising results in SLN mapping has been found, larger patient samples, including randomized studies, are required at the same time.

Ratiometric Raman nanotags enable intraoperative detection of metastatic sentinel lymph node

Sentinel lymph node (SLN) imaging and biopsy has been advocated as an important technique to evaluate the metastatic status of regional lymph nodes and determine subsequent surgical procedure for many cancers, yet there is no reliable means to provide accurate and rapid diagnosis of metastatic SLN during surgery. Here we develop a new approach, named "Ratiometric Raman dual-nanotag strategy", that using folic acid functionalized targeted and nontargeted gap-enhanced Raman tags (FA-GERTs and Nt-GERTs) to detect metastatic SLN based on Raman imaging combined with classical least square data processing methods. By using this strategy, with built-in self-calibration for signal correction, rather than absolute intensity-dependent signal readout, we realize the visualization and prompt intraoperative diagnosis of metastatic SLN with a high accuracy of 87.5 % when the cut-off value of ratio (FA-GERTs/Nt-GERTs) set at 1.255. This approach may outperform the existing histopathological assessment in diagnosing SLN metastasis and is promising for guiding surgical procedure in the future.

Conservative (non-radical) surgery for stage IB1 cervical cancer

There has been lively debate in recent years following the publication of various retrospective case series and small cohort studies that suggest certain women presenting with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage IB1 cervical cancer (pre-2018 revised classification) may be treated by non-radical surgery, either simple hysterectomy or cone biopsy, where fertility preservation is required. A strictly defined histological criterion is necessary for selecting such cases, incorporating tumour dimensions including estimated tumour volume, lympho-vascular space invasion and pelvic lymph node status. Meta-analyses of these studies show that the oncological outcomes are comparable to the excellent results achieved by radical hysterectomy and radical trachelectomy. In addition, the fertility and pregnancy outcomes for cases treated by conisation are superior to cases managed by radical trachelectomy. Multi-centre, ethically approved, prospective studies are currently on-going, which will provide better quality evidence in an attempt to contribute to this debate, with the intention of improving outcomes, including quality of life, in women presenting with small-volume stage IB1 cervical cancer.

Quantitative kinetic parameters of primary tumor can be used to predict pelvic lymph node metastasis in early-stage cervical cancer

PURPOSE

To investigate the role of kinetic parameters of primary tumor derived from dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) in predicting pelvic lymph node metastasis (PLNM) in patients with cervical cancer.

METHODS

66 women with newly diagnosed cervical cancer were included between July 2017 and August 2019. All patients had a FIGO stage IB-IIA cancer and treated with hysterectomy and bilateral lymphadenectomy. Kinetic parameters of the primary tumor were derived from DCE-MRI data. The tumor diameter, ADC value, kinetic parameters, and nodal short-axis diameter were compared between patients with or without PLNM. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the independent predictors for PLNM and receiver operator characteristic curve was used to evaluate the predictive performance.

RESULTS

There were 20 patients with PLNM and 46 patients without PLNM. Tumor diameter, the efflux rate constant (K_ep), and nodal short-axis diameter were significantly higher in patients with PLNM (P < 0.01). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that K_ep and short-axis diameter were independent predictors for PLNM. Combining K_ep and nodal short-axis diameter yielded the highest area under the curve (AUC) of 0.839. Combined with K_ep, the sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, and positive predictive value of nodal short-axis diameter increased from 0.500, 0.957, 0.815, and 0.833 to 0.600, 0.978, 0.923, and 0.849, respectively. With 1.113 min^-1 as threshold, the sensitivity and specificity values of K_ep in predicting PLNM in patients with normal-sized lymph nodes were 0.909 and 0.667, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

K_ep of primary tumor can be used as a surrogate marker to predict PLNM in cervical cancer.

British Gynaecological Cancer Society (BGCS) cervical cancer guidelines: Recommendations for practice

Cervix cancer in many countries is declining and screening programmes and immunisation will reduce the incidence in the next few decades. This guideline attempts to cover management of invasive disease reflecting diagnosis and imaging including new imaging and sentinel lymph node biopsies. Smaller volume disease is usually managed surgically whereas advanced disease is treated with (chemo)- radiation. It also includes discussion of fertility sparing procedures. Practices are changing frequently for all aspects of care usually in attempts to reduce complications and improve quality of life. The management of advanced disease is treated by chemotherapy and the use of newer agents is also discussed. Other sections discuss specialist situations such as cancer in pregnancy, rare cervical tumours, late effects and supportive measures and fertility preserving approaches.

Diagnostic value of frozen section examination of sentinel lymph nodes in early-stage cervical cancer at the time of ultrastaging

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to assess the diagnostic value of frozen-section pathologic examination (FSE) of sentinel lymph nodes (SLN) in patients with early-stage cervical cancer.

METHODS

Two French prospective multicentric database on SLN biopsy for cervical cancer (SENTICOL I and II) were analysed. Patients with IA to IIA1 2018 FIGO stage, who underwent SLN biopsy with both FSE and ultrastaging examination were included.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Between 2005 and 2012, 313 patients from 25 centers fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Metastatic involvement of SLN was diagnosed in 52 patients (16.6%). Macrometastases, micrometastases and isolated tumor cells (ITCs) were found in 27, 12 and 13 patients respectively. Among the 928 SLNs analysed, FSE identified 23 SLNs with macrometastases in 20 patients and 5 SLNs with micrometastases in 2 patients whereas no ITCs were identified. Ultrastaging of negative SLNs by FSE found macrometastases, micrometastases and ITCs in additional 7, 11 and 17 SLNs. Ultrastaging increased significantly the rate of patients with positive SLN from 7% to 16.6% (p < 0.0001). The sensitivity and the negative predictive value of FSE were 42.3% and 89.7% respectively or 56.4% and 94.1% if ITCs were excluded. False-negative cases were more frequent with tumor size ≥ 20 mm (OR = 4.46, 95%IC = [1.45-13.66], p = 0.01) and preoperative brachytherapy (OR = 4.47, 95%IC = [1.37-14.63], p = 0.01) and less frequent with patients included in higher volume center (>5 patients/year) (OR = 0.09, 95%IC = [0.02-0.51], p = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

FSE of SLN had a low sensitivity for detecting micrometastases and ITCs and a high negative predictive value for SLN status. Clinical impact of false-negative cases has to be assessed by further studies.

Sectioning protocol determines accuracy of intraoperative pathological examination of sentinel lymph node in cervical cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

To determine the diagnostic performance and optimal protocol of frozen section examination (FSE) in SLNB for cervical cancer.

METHODS

PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Wanfang Data and China National Knowledge Infrastructure were searched from inception to July 30, 2019, for studies concerning SLNB with FSE in cervical cancer. Sensitivity of FSE in detecting SLN metastasis was the primary diagnostic indicator for evaluation.

RESULTS

The pooled sensitivity of FSE among 31 eligible studies (1887 patients) was 0.77 (95% CI 0.66-0.85) with high heterogeneity (I² = 69.73%). Two representative sectioning protocols for FSE were identified from 26 studies, described as equatorial (E-protocol, SLN was bisected) and latitudinal (L-protocol, SLN was cut at intervals). Meta-regression showed that FSE protocol was the only source of heterogeneity (p < 0.001). The pooled sensitivity was 0.86 (95% CI 0.79-0.91, I² = 0%) and 0.59 (0.46-0.72, I² = 58.47%) for FSE using L- (13 studies, 650 patients) and E- (13 studies, 1047 patients) protocol, respectively. Among the available data, marcometastases (>2 mm) were missed in 4 and 20 patients; small-volume metastases (≤2 mm) were detected in 13 and 2 patients, respectively, under L- and E-protocol. The pooled sensitivity of FSE using L-protocol would reach 0.97 (95% CI 0.89-0.99) if only marcometastases were considered. These findings were robust to sensitivity analyses.

CONCLUSION

The sectioning protocol determines the accuracy of FSE in SLNB. With L-protocol, FSE can provide precise intraoperative pathology for SLNB, which enables immediate decision-making for individualized managements.

The Diagnostic Accuracy of an Intraoperative Frozen Section Analysis and Imprint Cytology of Sentinel Node Biopsy Specimens from Patients with Uterine Cervical and Endometrial Cancer: a Retrospective Observational Study

Sentinel node biopsy (SNB) may be a decision-making tool for function preservation surgery, including radical trachelectomy and ovary preservation in the treatment of cervical and endometrial cancer. The intraoperative diagnosis is important for guiding treatment decisions for patients with these conditions. Three hundred seventy-one patients with cervical and endometrial cancer received SNB with an intraoperative frozen section analysis and imprint cytology. The sentinel node was cut in half, parallel to the longest axis, to obtain the maximum section area. After performing imprint cytology, one half was used to create a frozen section. The specimen was cut at 2-mm intervals into 5-μm-thick sections, which were subjected to hematoxylin and eosin staining. The diagnostic accuracy of intraoperative frozen section analyses and imprint cytology was compared to the final pathological diagnosis. Among 951 detected sentinel nodes, 51 nodes were found to be positive in the final pathological diagnosis. The sensitivity of a frozen section analysis, imprint cytology and the combination of the two modalities was 76.5%, 72.6%, and 92.2%, respectively. The specificity of a frozen section analysis and imprint cytology was 100%. The negative predictive value of a frozen section analysis and imprint cytology was 98.7% and 98.5%, respectively. In these settings, the accuracy of the frozen section analysis and imprint cytology in the evaluation of SNB specimens was considered acceptable; however, the sensitivity of the combined approach was higher in comparison to when a frozen section analysis or imprint cytology was performed alone.

Impact of sentinel lymph node frozen section evaluation to avoid combined treatment in early-stage cervical cancer

BACKGROUND

The need for radical surgery followed by adjuvant chemoradiation may be reduced by abandoning radical surgery in patients in whom lymph node involvement is detected intra-operatively.

OBJECTIVES

To analyze, in a retrospective cohort study, the efficacy of the algorithm using intra-operative pathological assessment of sentinel lymph nodes.

METHODS

A retrospective single-institution study was carried out, which analyzed data from all consecutive patients with cervical cancer who were referred for primary surgical treatment between May 2005 and December 2015. Inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) TNM stage T1a1 with lymphovascular space invasion, T1a2, T1b, T2a, and selected T2b with incipient parametrial invasion; (2) adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, or adenosquamous carcinoma; (3) no evidence of enlarged suspicious nodes or distant metastases on pre-operative imaging; (4) primary surgery with curative intent; (5) successful detection of sentinel lymph node, at least, unilaterally. All patients had at least one sentinel lymph node detected and submitted for frozen section evaluation. When sentinel lymph node involvement was detected intra-operatively, the cervical procedure was abandoned and the patient was referred for definitive chemoradiation. Radical surgery was completed in patients with intra-operative negative sentinel lymph nodes. The reliability of intra-operative sentinel lymph node assessment was evaluated by calculating the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, positive likelihood ratio, and negative likelihood ratio.

RESULTS

The study included a total of 309 patients. Sentinel lymph nodes were detected bilaterally in 86% of the patients. Lymph node positivity was detected intra-operatively in 18 (6%) patients in whom the cervical procedure was abandoned. Adjuvant radiotherapy after completed radical surgery was given to 29 (9%) patients, including 20 patients with macrometastases (8) or micrometastases (12) reported from the final histology, eight patients with positive parametria (all ≤3 mm), and one patient with a positive vaginal resection margin. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for the intra-operative detection of lymph node positivity (macrometastases or micrometastases) was 47% (95% CI 31% to 64%), 100%, 100%, and 93% (95% CI 90% to 96%), respectively. A total of 18 (6%) patients were spared combined treatment owing to the intra-operative sentinel lymph node triage; 29 patients (9%) received combined treatment with both radical surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy CONCLUSIONS: Of 47 patients with high-risk prognostic risk factors (lymph node, parametria, or surgical margin involvement), combined treatment was successfully avoided in 18 (38%). Despite an effort to triage the patients intra-operatively, 9% received a combination of cervical procedure and adjuvant chemoradiation, mostly owing to the low sensitivity of the frozen section in the detection of micrometastases and macrometastases.

Pathologic Protocols for Sentinel Lymph Nodes Ultrastaging in Cervical Cancer

CONTEXT.—

Ultrastaging of sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) is a crucial aspect in the approach to SLN processing. No consensual protocol for pathologic ultrastaging has been approved by international societies to date.

OBJECTIVE.—

To provide a review of the ultrastaging protocol and all its aspects related to the processing of SLNs in patients with cervical cancer.

DATA SOURCES.—

In total, 127 publications reporting data from 9085 cases were identified in the literature. In 24% of studies, the information about SLN processing is entirely missing. No ultrastaging protocol was used in 7% of publications. When described, the differences in all aspects of SLN processing among the studies and institutions are substantial. This includes grossing of the SLN, which is not completely sliced and processed in almost 20% of studies. The reported protocols varied in all aspects of SLN processing, including the thickness of slices (range, 1-5 mm), the number of levels (range, 0-cut out until no tissue left), distance between the levels (range, 40-1000 μm), and number of sections per level (range, 1-5).

CONCLUSIONS.—

We found substantial differences in protocols used for SLN pathologic ultrastaging, which can impact sensitivity for detection of micrometastases and even small macrometastases. Since the involvement of pelvic lymph nodes is the most important negative prognostic factor, such profound discrepancies influence the referral of patients to adjuvant radiotherapy and could potentially cause treatment failure. It is urgent that international societies agree on a consensual protocol before SLN biopsy without pelvic lymphadenectomy is introduced into routine clinical practice.

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.

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.

Sentinel lymphatic mapping among women with early-stage cervical cancer: A systematic review

The presence of pelvic lymph node metastases is without doubt the most significant prognostic factor that determines recurrences and survival of women with early-stage cervical cancer. To avoid the underdiagnosis of lymph node metastasis, pelvic lymphadenectomy procedure is routinely performed with radical hysterectomy procedure. However, the pelvic lymphadenectomy procedure may not be necessary in most of these women due to the relatively low incidence of pelvic lymph node metastasis. The removal of large numbers of pelvic lymph nodes could also render non-metastatic irreversible damages for these women, including vessel, nerve, or ureteral injuries; formation of lymphocysts; and lymphedema. Over the past decades, the concept of sentinel lymph node biopsy has emerged as a popular and widespread surgical technique for the evaluation of the pelvic lymph node status in gynecologic malignancies. The histological status of sentinel lymph node should be representative for all other lymph nodes in the regional drainage area. If metastasis is non-existent in the sentinel lymph node, the likelihood of metastatic spread in the remaining regional lymph nodes is very low. Further lymphadenectomy is therefore not necessary for a patient with negative sentinel lymph nodes. Since the uterine cervix has several lymphatic drainage pathways, it is a challenging task to assess the distribution pattern of sentinel lymph nodes in women with early-stage cervical cancer. This review article will adapt the methodology proposed in these studies to systematically review sentinel lymphatic mapping among women with early-stage cervical cancer.

Sensitive molecular detection of small nodal metastasis in uterine cervical cancer using HPV16-E6/CK19/MUC1 cancer biomarkers

Metastatic nodal involvement is a critical prognostic factor in uterine cervical cancer (UCC). To improve current methods of detecting UCC metastases in lymph nodes (LNs), we used quantitative PCR (qPCR) to assess mRNA expression of potential metastatic biomarkers. We found that expression of HPV16-E6, cytokeratin19 (CK19), and mucin1 (MUC1) is consistently upregulated in tumors and metastatic tissues, supporting a role for these genes in UCC progression. These putative biomarkers were able to predict the presence of histologically positive metastatic LNs with respective sensitivities and specificities of 82% and 99% (CK19), 76% and 95% (HPV16-E6), and 76% and 78% (MUC1). While the biomarkers failed to detect 1.7% to 2.2% of the histologically positive LNs when used individually, combining CK19 and HPV16-E6 enhanced sensitivity and specificity to 100% and 94%, respectively. To explore the sensitivity of qPCR-based detection of varying proportions of invading HPV16-positive UCC cells, we designed a LN metastasis model that achieved a fresh cell detection limit of 0.008% (1:12500 HPV16-positive to HPV16-negative cells), and a paraffin-embedded, formalin-fixed (PEFF) detection limit of 0.02% (1:5000 HPV16-positive to HPV16-negative cells), both of which are within the theoretical detection limit for micrometastasis. Thus, HPV E6/E7 oncogenes may be useful targets for the ultrasensitive detection of nodal involvements like micrometastases in fresh or archived tissue samples. Moreover, our results suggest that the biomarker combination of CK19/HPV-E6 could support a real-time intraoperative strategy for the detection of small, but potentially lethal, metastatic nodal involvements in fresh UCC tissues.

The efficacy of sentinel lymph node mapping with indocyanine green in cervical cancer

Background

Lymph node metastasis is a significant predictive factor for disease recurrence and survival in cervical cancer patients. Given the importance of lymph node metastasis, it is imperative that patients harboring metastasis are identified and can undergo appropriate treatment. Sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping has drawn attention as a lymph node mapping technique. We evaluated the feasibility and efficacy of (SLN) mapping using indocyanine green (ICG) in cervical cancer.

Methods

We performed a single-center, retrospective study of 103 surgically treated cervical cancer patients who underwent SLN mapping. After using ICG to detect SLN during surgery, we removed the SLNs followed by laparoscopic or robotic-assisted radical surgery and bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy.

Results

Stage IB1 was the most common (61.17%). At least one SLN was detected in all cases. Eighty-eight patients (85.44%) had bilateral pelvic SLNs. The mean number of SLN per patient was 2.34. The side-specific sensitivity was 71.43%, the specificity was 100%, the negative predictive value (NPV) was 93.98%, and the false negative rate (FNR) was 28.57%. In cases of tumors smaller than 2 cm with negative lymph node metastasis on imaging, the study revealed a side-specific sensitivity of 100%, a specificity of 100%, a NPV of 100%, and a FNR of 0%. Large tumor size (≥ 4 cm), a previous history of a loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP), depth of invasion (≥ 50%), the microscopic parametrial (PM) invasion, and vaginal extension were significantly associated with the false-negative detection of SLN. Moreover, the microscopic PM invasion was the only risk factor of the false-negative detection of SLN in multivariate analysis.

Conclusion

SLN mapping with ICG in cervical cancer is feasible and has high detection rate. The sensitivity of 100% was high enough to perform SLN biopsy alone in an early stage in which the tumor is less than 2 cm, with no lymphadenopathy on image examination. However, for large or invasive tumors, we would have to be cautious about performing SLN biopsy alone.

Trial registration

Retrospectively registered 2017-0600.

Abdominal radical trachelectomy guided by sentinel lymph node biopsy for stage IB1 cervical cancer with tumors >2 cm

Accuracy of prediction of pelvic lymph node status using sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB), and outcomes of SLNB-guided abdominal radical trachelectomy (ART) were assessed. Patients with stage IB1 (Figure 2009) cervical cancer and with tumors >2 cm were enrolled. Prior to fertility-sparing surgery 99mTc-labeled phytate was administered. SLNs were intraoperatively identified, excised, and assessed using fast-frozen sections. Systematic bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy with or without para-aortic lymphadenectomy was subsequently undertaken. The SLN detection rate was 91.8% (45/49 patients); 8.2% (4/49) had radical hysterectomies because of metastatic primary SLNs. All SLNs received routine immunopathological examination to detect micrometastasis. Sensitivity, accuracy, and false negative rates were 100%, 100%, and 0%, respectively. ART was successfully completed in 45 patients (median follow-up, 61 [range, 4-149] months). Three of the 45 (6.7%) were lost to follow-up; two relapsed and one died of tumor progression. Overall 3-year survival and progression-free survival rates were 97.6% and 95.2%, respectively. Of the 19 patients who attempted to conceive after surgery, five achieved pregnancy, and one had a live birth in the third trimester. We concluded that SLNB using 99mTc-labeled phytate can accurately assess pelvic node status. SLNB-guided ART is safe and feasible in patients selected for fertility-sparing procedures.

Sentinel lymph node detection rates using indocyanine green in women with early-stage cervical cancer

OBJECTIVE

Our study objective was to determine feasibility and mapping rates using indocyanine green (ICG) for sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping in early-stage cervical cancer.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective review of all women who underwent SLN mapping with ICG during primary surgical management of early-stage cervical cancer by robotic-assisted radical hysterectomy (RA-RH) or fertility-sparing surgery. Patients were treated at two high-volume centers from 10/2012 to 02/2016. Completion pelvic lymphadenectomy was performed after SLN biopsy; additionally, removal of clinically enlarged/suspicious nodes was part of the SLN treatment algorithm.

RESULTS

Thirty women with a median age of 42.5 and BMI of 26.5 were included. Most (90%) had stage IB disease, and 67% had squamous histology. RA-RH was performed in 86.7% of cases. One patient underwent fertility-sparing surgery. Median cervical tumor size was 2.0cm. At least one SLN was detected in all cases (100%), with bilateral mapping achieved in 87%. SLN detection was not impacted by tumor size and was most commonly identified in the hypogastric (40.3%), obturator (26.0%), and external iliac (20.8%) regions. Five cases of lymphatic metastasis were identified (16.7%): three in clinically enlarged SLNs, one in a clinically enlarged non-SLN, and one case with cytokeratin positive cells in an SLN. All metastatic disease would have been detected even if full lymphadenectomy had been omitted from our treatment algorithm, CONCLUSIONS: SLN mapping with ICG is feasible and results in high detection rates in women with early-stage cervical cancer. Prospective studies are needed to determine if SLN mapping can replace lymphadenectomy in this setting.

Location of Sentinel Lymph Node in Cervical Carcinoma and Factors Associated With Unilateral Detection

OBJECTIVE

The aims of this study were to assess locality of the sentinel lymph node (SLN) in cervical carcinoma and examine factors affecting bilateral SLN detection.

METHODS

This was a retrospective review of SLN data (anatomical location, count and laterality) in patients with early-stage cervical cancer (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage IA1 with lymphovascular space invasion to stage IIA) using intraoperative gamma probe and blue dye. The preoperative single-photon emission computed tomography with computed tomography was used to detect laterality, number of the SLNs, and rare locations. Patients were treated between January 2005 to January 2015 at the West Kent Gynaecological Oncology Centre, Maidstone Hospital, Maidstone, United Kingdom.

RESULTS

A total of 132 women were investigated. The most common SLN location was the external iliac (38.6%) followed by obturator (25.3%) and internal iliac (23.6%) regions. A small percentage was identified in presacral (1.4%) and para-aortic regions (0.7%). Older age (P = 0.01) and an elevated body mass index (P = 0.03) were associated with decreased SLN count by preoperative single-photon emission computed tomography with computed tomography, and only age affected SLN count by gamma probe (P = 0.01). Initial surgery, large loop excision of the transformation zone, or cone biopsy of the cervix had no effect on SLN count. There was no difference observed in bilateral detection with respect to surgical approach (open: n = 48/laparoscopic: n = 84). However, older age was independently associated with a decrease in bilateral SLN detection (P = 0.003). In these patients who underwent unilateral full pelvic lymphadenectomy, all the nonsentinel nodes were negative.

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of SLNs were located in the external iliac, obturator, and internal iliac regions. Both older age and an elevated body mass index were associated with a reduced SLN count. Unilateral detection of SLN was independently associated with older age, which may be due to sclerosis in the lymphatic vessels or reduced perfusion in the pelvis in these women. If no SLN is detected on one side, the consensus is to perform a full pelvic lymphadenectomy on that side of the pelvis.

Pathological Risk Factors and Outcomes in Women With Stage IB2 Cervical Cancer Treated With Primary Radical Surgery Versus Chemoradiotherapy

OBJECTIVE

Both radical hysterectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy and primary chemoradiotherapy have been shown to be effective in the management of women with stage IB2 cervical cancer. This study aims to review the outcomes related to each treatment modality and the effects of pathological risk factors on overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective study of 92 women with stage IB2 cervical cancer who were treated at the Northern Gynecological Oncology Center (Gateshead, United Kingdom) across a 22-year period between January 1991 and July 2013. Women were divided into those undergoing primary surgery and those undergoing primary radiotherapy/chemoradiotherapy. The main outcome measures were OS and progression-free survival (PFS). Pathological risk factors of survival were assessed using multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

Sixty-seven women (72.8%) underwent primary surgery, and 25 women (27.2%) had primary radiotherapy/chemoradiotherapy. Thirty-one of 67 women (46.3%) required adjuvant radiotherapy/chemoradiotherapy after surgery because of positive lymph nodes in 77.4% of cases. The median follow-up was 57.5 months (range, 3-137 months). Thirty-two women (34.8%) had disease recurrence: 6 women (16.7%) in the group undergoing surgery alone, 15 women (48.4%) in the group requiring adjuvant treatment after surgery, and 11 women (44%) in the group having primary radiotherapy/chemoradiotherapy. Overall survival and PFS were higher for women undergoing surgery alone (91.7% and 83.3%) compared with women requiring adjuvant treatment after surgery (54.8% and 51.4%) and those having primary radiotherapy/chemoradiotherapy (60% and 56%) (P = 0.0004 and P = 0.005, respectively). Lymph node metastasis was a significant pathological risk factor of OS and PFS in multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Most women require adjuvant treatment after surgery because of positive lymph nodes. Because survival outcomes for women requiring dual treatment are similar to those for women undergoing primary chemoradiotherapy, nodal assessment before definitive treatment should guide the management of these women and identify a low-risk group that can be treated with surgery alone.

Routine Intraoperative Frozen Section Examination to Minimize Bimodal Treatment in Early-Stage Cervical Cancer

Objective

In early-stage cervical cancer, single modality therapy is the main objective, to minimize patient morbidity while offering equivalent cure rates. Intraoperative frozen section examination (FSE) of lymph nodes (LNs) can facilitate this aim, ensuring that radical surgery is avoided in patients requiring adjuvant therapy for metastatic LN involvement. We aimed to evaluate the accuracy of routine intraoperative FSE of pelvic LNs during the surgical staging of early-stage cervical cancers and identify a group at low risk for nodal metastases.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study of 94 women aged 23 to 80 years who underwent primary surgery and planned intraoperative FSE of the pelvic LNs at the gynecological cancer center in Oxford was performed. The diagnostic value of FSE and the prediction of metastatic nodal disease were assessed by use of preoperative and intraoperative variables.

Results

A total of 1825 LNs were submitted for FSE. Of 94 women (13.8%), 13 had positive LNs at FSE. Two false-negative cases were reported with micrometastases but no false-positive cases. Frozen section examination as a diagnostic test reached a sensitivity of 86.7% and a specificity of 100%. A regression model including grade I to II and tumor size of less than 20 mm identified a low-risk group for LN involvement.

Conclusions

In light of diverse practice patterns, FSE should be routinely offered to women with early-stage cervical cancer in a 1-step protocol. We equally devised a model to predict those patients at least risk of nodal disease, who may be spared of FSE.

Beyond sentinel node algorithm. Toward a more tailored surgery for cervical cancer patients

Nowadays cervical cancer is frequently diagnosed at early stage. For these patients lymph node metastasis (LNM) is considered the most important prognostic factor. During the last decade many efforts have been made to reduce rate of complications associated with lymphadenectomy (LND). A great interest has arisen in sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy as a technique able to decrease number of LND performed and, at the same time, to assess lymph nodal status. High diagnostic performances have been reached thanks to SLN surgical algorithm. However, despite the efforts, about 25% of these patients undergo at least unilateral LND to meet NCCN recommendations. Data of women with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage IA1‐IB1/IIA1 cervical carcinoma were retrospectively collected by six Italian institutions. All patients underwent complete preoperative staging workup and were primarily treated by radical hysterectomy and pelvic bilateral LND. A total of 368 patients with early‐stage cervical cancer were identified. Among them 333 (90.5%) showed no suspicious enlarged nodes at the preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In this subset, tumor diameter ≥20 mm was the only independent predictor of LN status (P = 0.003). None of the 106 patients with negative MRI nodal assessment, with squamous and adenosquamous histotype and a tumor diameter less than 2 cm had LNM. Based on these results we propose a new modified SLN surgical algorithm that could safely reduce LND performed in patients with very low‐risk early‐stage cervical cancer.

Sentinel-lymph-node procedures in early stage cervical cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

We performed a meta-analysis to assess the accuracy of sentinel-lymph-node (SLN) procedures for the assessment of nodal metastases in patients with early stage cervical cancer. Studies of SLN procedures for detecting nodal metastases in patients with early stage cervical cancer were systematically searched in MEDLINE and EMBASE between January 1, 2000 and August 30, 2013. We identified 49 eligible studies, which included 2,476 SLN procedures. The mean overall weighted-detection rate was 0.93 (95 % CI 0.92–0.94), at a pooled sensitivity of 0.88 (95 % CI 0.84–0.90) with limited heterogeneity (χ² = 80.57, degrees of freedom = 47, p = 0.002). Subgroup analysis of sensitivity and the rate of detection of different tracer techniques and surgery methods used in conjunction with an SLN procedures were as follows: studies using combined techniques, 0.88 (95 % CI 0.84–0.91) and 0.97 (95 % CI 0.96–0.98); studies using metastable technetium-99, 0.87 (95 % CI 0.78–0.93) and 0.90 (95 % CI 0.87–0.93); studies using blue dye, 0.87 (95 % CI 0.79–0.93) and 0.87 (95 % CI 0.84–0.90); studies using laparotomy, 0.86 (95 % CI 0.80–0.90) and 0.87 (95 % CI 0.83–0.91); studies using laparoscopy, 0.90 (95 % CI 0.86–0.94) and 0.93 (95 % CI 0.90–0.96); and studies using robot-assisted surgery, 0.84 (95 % CI 0.72–0.92) and 0.92 (95 % CI 0.88–0.95). We concluded that the SLN procedure performs well diagnostically for the assessment of nodal metastases in patients with early stage cervical cancer.

Sentinel node biopsy for lymph nodal staging of uterine cervix cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis of the pertinent literature

BACKGROUND

We reviewed the available literature on the accuracy of sentinel node mapping in the lymph nodal staging of uterine cervical cancers.

METHODS

MEDLINE and Scopus were searched by using "sentinel AND (cervix OR cervical)" as key words. Studies evaluating the accuracy of sentinel node mapping in the lymph nodal staging of uterine cervical cancers were included if enough data could be extracted for calculation of detection rate and/or sensitivity.

RESULTS

Sixty-seven studies were included in the systematic review. Pooled detection rate was 89.2% [95% CI: 86.3-91.6]. Pooled sensitivity was 90% [95% CI: 88-92]. Sentinel node detection rate and sensitivity were related to mapping method (blue dye, radiotracer, or both) and history of pre-operative neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Sensitivity was higher in patients with bilaterally detected pelvic sentinel nodes compared to those with unilateral sentinel nodes. Lymphatic mapping could identify sentinel nodes outside the routine lymphadenectomy limits.

CONCLUSION

Sentinel node mapping is an accurate method for the assessment of lymph nodal involvement in uterine cervical cancers. Selection of a population with small tumor size and lower stage will ensure the lowest false negative rate. Lymphatic mapping can also detect sentinel nodes outside of routine lymphadenectomy areas providing additional histological information which can improve the staging. Further studies are needed to explore the impact of sentinel node mapping in fertility sparing surgery and in patients with history of neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

The EANM clinical and technical guidelines for lymphoscintigraphy and sentinel node localization in gynaecological cancers

The accurate harvesting of a sentinel node in gynaecological cancer (i.e. vaginal, vulvar, cervical, endometrial or ovarian cancer) includes a sequence of procedures with components from different medical specialities (nuclear medicine, radiology, surgical oncology and pathology). These guidelines are divided into sectione entitled: Purpose, Background information and definitions, Clinical indications and contraindications for SLN detection, Procedures (in the nuclear medicine department, in the surgical suite, and for radiation dosimetry), and Issues requiring further clarification. The guidelines were prepared for nuclear medicine physicians. The intention is to offer assistance in optimizing the diagnostic information that can currently be obtained from sentinel lymph node procedures. If specific recommendations given cannot be based on evidence from original scientific studies, referral is made to "general consensus" and similar expressions. The recommendations are designed to assist in the practice of referral to, and the performance, interpretation and reporting of all steps of the sentinel node procedure in the hope of setting state-of-the-art standards for high-quality evaluation of possible metastatic spread to the lymphatic system in gynaecological cancer. The final result has been discussed by a group of distinguished experts from the EANM Oncology Committee and the European Society of Gynaecological Oncology (ESGO). The document has been endorsed by the SNMMI Board.

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

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.

Sentinel lymph node evaluation in women with cervical cancer

Lymph node status is the most important prognosticator of survival in women with early stage cervical cancer. Thus many patients with cervical cancer will undergo pelvic lymphadenectomy as part of the treatment. This procedure is associated with substantial morbidity. Use of the sentinel lymph node technique in women with cervical cancer has the potential to decrease this morbidity. Multiple studies have suggested that sentinel lymph node mapping in these patients is feasible, with excellent detection rates and sensitivity. This review examines the current body of literature about sentinel lymph node biopsy in women with cervical cancer.

Comparative assessment of lymph node micrometastasis in cervical, endometrial and vulvar cancer: insights on the real time qRT-PCR approach versus immunohistochemistry, employing dual molecular markers

To address the value of qRT-PCR and IHC in accurately detecting lymph node micrometastasis in gynecological cancer, we performed a systematic approach, using a set of dual molecular tumor-specific markers such as cytokeratin 19 (CK19) and carbonic anhydrase 9 (CA9), in a series of 46 patients (19 with cervical cancer, 18 with endometrial cancer, and 9 with vulvar cancer). A total of 1281 lymph nodes were analyzed and 28 were found positive by histopathology. Following this documentation, 82 lymph nodes, 11 positive and 71 negative, were randomly selected and further analyzed both by IHC and qRT-PCR for CK19 and CA9 expression. All 11 (100%) expressed CK19 by IHC, while only 6 (54.5%) expressed CA9. On the contrary, all the histologically negative for micrometastases lymph nodes were also negative by IHC analysis for both markers. The comparative diagnostic efficacy of the two markers using qRT-PCR, however, disclosed that the analysis of the same aliquots of the 82 lymph nodes led to 100% specificity for the CK19 biomarker, while, in contrast, CA9 failed to recapitulate a similar pattern. These data suggest that qRT-PCR exhibits a better diagnostic accuracy compared to IHC, while CK19 displays a consistent pattern of detection compared to CA9.

Laparoscopic Radical Trachelectomy Is an Alternative to Laparotomy With Improved Perioperative Outcomes in Patients With Early-Stage Cervical Cancer

Objective

Radical trachelectomy is an established surgical approach for managing young women with cervical cancer wishing to preserve fertility. The aim of this study was to compare perioperative outcomes between laparoscopic (LRT) and abdominal radical trachelectomy (ART).

Methods

We reviewed the records of all women undergoing either LRT or ART in our institution since 2004. Demographic data, clinicopathologic data, and perioperative outcomes were collected and compared between the 2 procedures.

Results

Overall, 27 women were identified. All of them had stage IB1 disease. Eleven (40.8%) women underwent LRT, whereas 16 (59.2%) women underwent ART. Age, parity, and body mass index, as well as histologic type, grade, and presence of lymphovascular space invasion were comparable between groups. The median length of the parametrial tissue removed was shorter in LRT versus ART (P = 0.022). The median blood loss and length of stay were significantly reduced in the LRT group (85 vs 800 mL, P < 0.001; and 4 versus 7 days, P = 0.003). The median operative time was longer with the laparoscopic approach (320 versus 192.5 minutes, P < 0.001). Early grade 1 to 2 postoperative morbidity (mainly high urinary residuals) was comparable between groups; however, more grade 3 and late morbidity events were recorded in the ART group.

Conclusions

This first comparison study between LRT and ART for fertility preservation in women with cervical cancer shows that laparoscopy performed better in terms of blood loss and length of stay. Laparoscopic radical trachelectomy could be the preferred option for these patients; however, further studies are needed to confirm comparable survival outcomes.

Accuracy of intraoperative pathological examination of SLN in cervical cancer

OBJECTIVE

Early cervical cancer patients with pelvic lymph node metastasis do not benefit from radical hysterectomy. Assessment of the SLN status is thus crucial before deciding to perform a radical hysterectomy as opposed to aortic dissection only followed by definitive radiation therapy. Accuracy of frozen section of SLN has been questioned and deserves further investigation.

METHODS

Stage IA-IB1 cervical cancer patients who underwent SLN then full pelvic dissection at the Claudius Regaud Cancer Center in Toulouse, France, were included.

RESULTS

At least one SLN was identified in all 94 patients. Bilateral detection rate was 80.8%. Ectopic drainage area was found in 19 patients (20.2%). Sentinel lymph node involvement was found in 11 patients (11.7%). Sensitivity and NPV of frozen section pathological examination for the detection of macrometastatic disease was 100%, sensitivity for the detection of macro and micrometastatic disease, excluding ITC, was 88.9%, and NPV was 98.8%. Micrometastasis and isolated tumor cells (ITC) undetected at frozen section examination were found in 1 patient (1.06%) and 2 lymph nodes (1.24%), and in 2 patients (2.13%) and 2 lymph nodes (1.24%), respectively. Final pathology sensitivity of SLN was 100% for both macro and micrometastatic disease, including ITC.

CONCLUSION

In our institution, intraoperative frozen examination of SLN accurately predicts the status of pelvic lymph nodes and is effective for selecting intraoperatively the group of patients who benefit from radical hysterectomy. In addition, our results suggest that patients with small tumors and bilateral detection of SLN can be spared full pelvic lymphadenectomy.

High false negative rate of frozen section examination of sentinel lymph nodes in patients with cervical cancer

OBJECTIVES

Metastatic involvement of the sentinel nodes (SN) is one of the main prognostic factors in cervical cancer which determines the disease management. The results of intra-operative SN examination would make it possible to triage patients in a one-step protocol. The studies carried out on the subject so far have, however, failed to demonstrate adequate accuracy of frozen section examination (FS) and, moreover, they only involved small cohorts.

METHODS

The study included 225 patients with cervical cancer FIGO IA2-IIB in whom at least one SN has been detected and intra-operatively processed. The prevalence of macrometastases, micrometastases and isolated tumour cells (ITC) in the SN was evaluated and the results of FS and final SN ultrastaging were compared.

RESULTS

Metastatic involvement of the SN was detected by pathologic ultrastaging in 73 cases (32.4%); macrometastases, micrometastases and ITC were found in 48, 17 and 8 patients, respectively. Intra-operative SN assessment established the SN status correctly in as few as 41 cases (56.2%), or in 49 cases (63%) if ITC had been excluded. Final ultrastaging of intra-operatively negative SN confirmed macrometastases, micrometastases, and ITC in additional 8, 18 and 8 patients, respectively. The false negative rate of FS was higher in bigger tumours (>20 cm3) and in the presence of LVSI.

CONCLUSIONS

Frozen section examination of SN is not sufficiently reliable; it has a high false negative rate mainly due to its limited ability to detect micrometastases. A possible solution would be a more detailed intra-operative pathologic processing or two-step surgical management.

Prospective study of sentinel lymph node biopsy without further pelvic lymphadenectomy in patients with sentinel lymph node-negative cervical cancer

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the incidence of lymphedema and cancer recurrence rate in patients with cervical cancer who undergo sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy alone in the absence of SLN metastases.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study included 35 consecutive patients with cervical cancer scheduled for radical hysterectomy at Tohoku University Hospital between May 2006 and July 2009. All patients had International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stages IA1 to IIA1 disease. Patients in whom SLNs were detected unilaterally or not detected and/or whose lymph nodes were diagnosed intraoperatively as positive metastasis underwent systemic pelvic lymphadenectomy. Patients who were found negative for SLN metastasis did not undergo further pelvic lymphadenectomy.

RESULTS

The mean number of detected SLNs was 4.1 (range, 1-11). True lymph node metastasis could be detected in 11 (31%) of the 35 cases. Intraoperative frozen section identified correctly in 8 of 11 metastatic patients. Twenty-three patients underwent SLN biopsy alone without systematic pelvic lymphadenectomy. None of the 23 patients diagnosed with negative SLNs have experienced a lymph node recurrence in the pelvic cavity. New symptomatic lower extremity lymphedema was identified in 2 (8.7%) of the 23 patients who underwent SLN biopsy alone and in 5 (42%) of 12 patients who underwent systematic lymphadenectomy.

CONCLUSION

Radical hysterectomy with SLN biopsy alone seems to be a safe and effective strategy for detection of lymph node metastasis and for reducing the number of patients with lower extremity lymphedema, but a more convenient and sensitive procedure for intraoperative diagnosis needs to be established.

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

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.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy as guidance for radical trachelectomy in young patients with early stage cervical cancer

Background

The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility and accuracy of sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) detection using 99mTc phytate in predicting pelvic lymph nodes status for radical abdominal trachelectomy (RAT) in patients with early stage cervical cancer.

Methods

Sixty-eight women with stage IA2-IB1 cervical cancer and scheduled to undergo fertility-sparing surgery enrolled in this study. 99mTc-labeled phytate was injected before surgery. Intraoperatively, SLNs were identified, excised, and submitted to fast frozen section. Systematic bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy and/or para-aortic lymph node dissection was performed. Then RAT was performed in patients with negative SLNs. All nodes were sent for routine pathological examination and immunostained with anti-cytokeratin antibody to detect micrometastases. Outcomes of follow up and fertility were observed.

Results

SLNs were identified in 64 of 68 patients (94.1%). Of these, SLNs of 8 patients (11.8%) were positive on frozen sections and proved to be metastasis by final pathologic examination. The sensitivity, accuracy, and false negative rates were 100%, 100%, and 0%, respectively. All 60 patients with negative SLN underwent RAT successfully. Two relapses occurred and no one died of tumor progression during follow-up. Five of the 15 patients with procreative desire conceived 8 pregnancies (3 term delivery, 2 premature birth, 1 spontaneous abortion, and 2 were still in the duration of pregnancy) after surgery.

Conclusions

The identification of SLN using 99mTc-labeled phytate is accurate and safe to assess pelvic nodes status in patients with early cervical cancer. SLNs biopsy guided RAT is feasible for patients who desire to have fertility preservation.

[Sentinel lymph node procedure and uterine cancers]

Lymph node metastases in cervical and endometrial cancer are major prognostic factors. Lymph-nodal involvement determines adjuvant therapy. As imagery is not reliable to diagnose lymph node status, pelvic +/- para-aortic lymphadenectomy remains the gold standard. These surgical procedures are, however, responsible for specific morbidity: lymphocele and lymphedema. Sentinel lymph node procedure could avoid lymphadenectomy and their complications in cervical and endometrial cancer with good negative predictive values. We present actual indications, procedure and results of sentinel lymph node procedures in cervical and endometrial cancer.

Cervical cancer and the role of lymph node staging cons sentinel concept

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether the current standard of cervical cancer staging is sentinel lymph node biopsy.

METHOD

Review of the literature focusing on the significance of the sentinel node concept in patients with cervical cancer. Because of the data on the significance of the intraoperative histopathological assessment of sentinel lymph nodes, the role of micrometastasis in lymph nodes, and the standards of procedure, the sentinel procedure were analyzed.

RESULT

Sentinel lymph node biopsy alone is currently not a routine procedure for cervical cancer staging. This procedure should be performed only by specialized centers in a study setting. More data on its oncological safety are needed.

The vaginal radical trachelectomy: an update of a series of 125 cases and 106 pregnancies

OBJECTIVE

To review our first consecutive 125 vaginal radical trachelectomies (VRT) to assess the oncologic, fertility and obstetrical outcomes.

METHODS

Data from our prospective database was used to identify all VRT planned between October 1991 to March 2010 in patients with early-stage cervical cancer (stages IA, IB and IIA). Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test and Student t-test were used to compare baseline characteristics and Kaplan-Meier survival curves were constructed and compared with the use of the log-rank test.

RESULTS

During the study period, 140 VRT were planned and 125 were performed. The median age of the patients was 31 and 75% were nulliparous. The majority of the lesions were stage IA2 (21%) or IB1 (69%) and 41% were grade 1. In terms of histology, 56% were squamous and 37% were adenocarcinomas. Vascular space invasion was present in 29% of cases, and 88.5% of the lesions measured ≤2cm. The mean follow-up was 93months (range: 4-225months). There were 6 recurrences (4.8%) and 2 deaths (1.6%) following VRT. The actuarial 5-year recurrence-free survival was 95.8% [95% CI: 0.90-0.98], whereas it was 79% [95% CI: 0.49-0.93] in the group where the VRT was abandoned (p=0.001). Higher tumor grade, LVSI and size >2cm appeared to be predictive of the risk of abandoning VRT (p=0.001, p=0.025 and p=0.03 respectively). Tumor size >2cm was statistically significantly associated with a higher risk of recurrence (p=0.001). In terms of obstetrical outcome, 58 women conceived a total of 106 pregnancies. The first and second trimester miscarriage rates were 20% and 3% respectively, and 77 (73%) of the pregnancies reached the third trimester, of which 58 (75%) delivered at term. Overall, 15 (13.5%) patients experienced fertility problems, 40% of which were due to cervical factor. Twelve (80%) were able to conceive, the majority with assisted reproductive technologies.

CONCLUSION

VRT is an oncologically safe procedure in well-selected patients with early-stage disease. Lesion size >2cm appears to be associated with a higher risk of recurrence and a higher risk of abandoning the planned VRT. Fertility and obstetrical outcomes post VRT are excellent.