Lymphatic mapping and gamma probe guided laparoscopic biopsy of sentinel lymph node in patients with clinical stage I testicular tumor

Lymph Node Dissection in Testicular Cancer: The State of the Art and Future Perspectives

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This narrative review provides a comprehensive overview of the evolving role of retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) in the management of testicular cancer (TC). It explores the significance of RPLND as both a diagnostic and therapeutic tool, highlighting its contribution to accurate staging, its impact on oncological outcomes, and its influence on subsequent treatment decisions.

RECENT FINDINGS

RPLND serves as an essential diagnostic procedure, aiding in the precise assessment of lymph node involvement and guiding personalized treatment strategies. It has demonstrated therapeutic value, particularly in patients with specific risk factors and disease stages, contributing to improved oncological outcomes and survival rates. Recent studies have emphasized the importance of meticulous patient selection and nerve-sparing techniques to mitigate complications while optimizing outcomes. Additionally, modern imaging and surgical approaches have expanded the potential applications of RPLND. In the context of TC management, RPLND remains a valuable and evolving tool. Its dual role in staging and therapy underscores its relevance in contemporary urological practice. This review highlights the critical role of RPLND in enhancing patient care and shaping treatment strategies, emphasizing the need for further research to refine patient selection and surgical techniques.

Sentinel Lymph Node Techniques in Urologic Oncology: Current Knowledge and Application

Lymph node (LN) metastases have a significant negative impact on the prognosis of urological malignancies. Unfortunately, current imaging modalities are insufficient when it comes to detecting micrometastases; thus, surgical LN removal is commonly used. However, there is still no established ideal lymph node dissection (LND) template, leading to unnecessary invasive staging and the possibility of missing LN metastases located outside the standard template. To address this issue, the sentinel lymph node (SLN) concept has been proposed. This technique involves identifying and removing the first group of draining LNs, which can accurately stage cancer. While successful in breast cancer and melanoma, the SLN technique in urologic oncology is still considered experimental due to high false-negative rates and lack of data in prostate, bladder, and kidney cancer. Nevertheless, the development of new tracers, imaging modalities, and surgical techniques may improve the potential of the SLN procedures in urological oncology. In this review, we aim to discuss the current knowledge and future contributions of the SLN procedure in the management of urological malignancies.

Clear identification of the rare solitary external iliac lymph node metastasis of testicular cancer by using indocyanine green fluorescence guidance

INTRODUCTION

There are few reports on indocyanine green fluorescence-guided surgery in testis-related diseases.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 38-year-old man underwent orchiectomy for left testicular cancer. Pathological diagnosis was pT1 seminoma. Seven years after the surgery, solitary left external iliac lymph node metastasis was suspected. We decided to perform laparoscopic lymph node dissection combined with indocyanine green fluorescence injection. During the operation, we injected indocyanine green fluorescence into his left inner inguinal ring and found that the lymph node was directly drained from the injection point. The pathological diagnosis of the indocyanine green fluorescence-positive left external iliac lymph node was testicular cancer metastasis.

CONCLUSION

We experienced a case of solitary left external iliac lymph node recurrence in testicular cancer. Using indocyanine green fluorescence injection, we could visualize the lymphatic drainage route, which helped us identify the lymph node as the primary landing site of metastasis.

Interventional nuclear medicine: a focus on radioguided intervention and surgery

Within interventional nuclear medicine (iNM) a prominent role is allocated for the sub-discipline of radioguided surgery. Unique for this discipline is the fact that an increasing number of clinical indications (e.g. lymphatic mapping, local tumor demarcation and/or tumor receptor targeted applications) have been adopted into routine care. The clinical integration is further strengthened by technical innovations in chemistry and engineering that enhance the translational potential of radioguided procedures in iNM. Together, these features not only ensure ongoing expansion of iNM but also warrant a lasting clinical impact for the sub-discipline of radioguided surgery.

Supraclavicular left neck mass: an unusual presentation of metastatic testicular cancer in two older men

Two male patients, aged 55 and 75 years, were referred to the ENT and haematology team respectively, with an asymptomatic left supraclavicular neck mass. Investigations revealed metastatic primary testicular seminoma. CT contrast study of the thorax, abdomen and pelvis demonstrated an additional left para-aortic nodal mass in both cases. The initial presentation of a solitary left neck lump from a metastatic testicular seminoma is extremely unusual, especially in an older age group. The pattern of metastatic spread to the supraclavicular neck nodes from a single para-aortic lymph node is also an interesting finding. Although the majority of seminomas present in younger patients in the early stages when confined to the testis, seminoma can also occur in older patients and can present in an atypical manner. The ability to recognise an atypical presentation in an older patient is invaluable for prompt diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of disease. This case also highlights the importance of a multisystematic structured and an open-minded approach to investigating and diagnosing a neck mass.

Recent advances in nuclear and hybrid detection modalities for image-guided surgery

Introduction: Radioguided surgery is an ever-evolving part of nuclear medicine. In fact, this nuclear medicine sub-discipline actively bridges non-invasive molecular imaging with surgical care. Next to relying on the availability of radio- and bimodal-tracers, the success of radioguided surgery is for a large part dependent on the imaging modalities and imaging concepts available for the surgical setting. With this review, we have aimed to provide a comprehensive update of the most recent advances in the field. Areas covered: We have made an attempt to cover all aspects of radioguided surgery: 1) the use of radioisotopes that emit γ, β⁺, and/or β^- radiation, 2) hardware developments ranging from probes to 2D cameras and even the use of advanced 3D interventional imaging solutions, and 3) multiplexing solutions such as dual-isotope detection or combined radionuclear and optical detection. Expert opinion: Technical refinements in the field of radioguided surgery should continue to focus on supporting its implementation in the increasingly complex minimally invasive surgical setting, e.g. by accommodating robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery. In addition, hybrid concepts that integrate the use of radioisotopes with other image-guided surgery modalities such as fluorescence or ultrasound are likely to expand in the future.

Sentinel node biopsy in clinical stage I testicular cancer enables early detection of occult metastatic disease

Objectives

To report the long‐term results of the sentinel node (SN) approach in patients with clinical stage I testicular tumours in our facility.

Patients and Methods

We conducted an analysis of 27 consecutive patients suspected of clinical stage I testicular germ cell tumour (TGCT) and treated with an SN procedure at our tertiary referral centre. SNs were identified using lymphoscintigraphy with or without single‐photo‐emission computed tomography with CT (SPECT/CT). Patients underwent laparoscopic retroperitoneal SN excision with inguinal orchiectomy. Patients with a tumour‐positive SN underwent adjuvant treatment. Follow‐up was conducted according to then‐current guidelines.

Results

In two patients, no SNs were visualized on scintigraphy. In the remaining 25 patients, a median (range) of 3 (1–4) SNs per patient were removed. Two patients showed no malignancy on histopathological examination of the testis. Of the 23 patients diagnosed with TGCT (16 seminomas, seven non‐seminomas), three (13.0%) had occult metastatic disease. All 23 patients were without evidence of disease at a median (range) follow‐up of 63.9 (29.0–143.4) months.

Conclusion

The SN procedure allows early identification of patients with occult metastatic disease in clinical stage I TGCT, enabling early treatment.

Recent advances in urologic laparoscopic surgeries: laparoendoscopic single-site surgery, natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery, robotics and navigation

Laparoscopic surgery was developed at the end of the 1980s and has been utilized in almost all urologic surgical procedures. It offers the benefits of less invasiveness and earlier recovery than open surgery. The introduction of laparoendoscopic single-site surgery has offered reduced pain and improved cosmetic satisfaction to patients. Scarless nephrectomy has been realized with transvaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery in women. The development of surgical robots has decreased the technical difficulty of complicated procedures, shortened the learning curve, and improved perioperative outcomes relative to laparoscopic surgery. Surgical navigation using real-time sonography, augmented reality, fluorescence, or radioisotope images will improve the quality of these surgeries.

Impact of nodal status and tumor burden in sentinel lymph nodes on the clinical outcomes of cancer patients

The validation of sentinel lymph node (SLN) concept in melanoma and breast cancer has established a new paradigm in cancer metastasis that, in general, cancer cells spread in a orderly fashion from the primary site to the SLNs in the regional nodal basin and then to the distant sites. In this review article, we examine the development of SLN concept in penile carcinoma, melanoma and breast carcinoma and its application to other solid cancers with emphasis of the relationship between micrometastasis in SLNs and clinical outcomes.

A comprehensive overview of radioguided surgery using gamma detection probe technology

The concept of radioguided surgery, which was first developed some 60 years ago, involves the use of a radiation detection probe system for the intraoperative detection of radionuclides. The use of gamma detection probe technology in radioguided surgery has tremendously expanded and has evolved into what is now considered an established discipline within the practice of surgery, revolutionizing the surgical management of many malignancies, including breast cancer, melanoma, and colorectal cancer, as well as the surgical management of parathyroid disease. The impact of radioguided surgery on the surgical management of cancer patients includes providing vital and real-time information to the surgeon regarding the location and extent of disease, as well as regarding the assessment of surgical resection margins. Additionally, it has allowed the surgeon to minimize the surgical invasiveness of many diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, while still maintaining maximum benefit to the cancer patient. In the current review, we have attempted to comprehensively evaluate the history, technical aspects, and clinical applications of radioguided surgery using gamma detection probe technology.

Laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection: does it still have a role in the management of clinical stage I nonseminomatous testis cancer? A European perspective

CONTEXT

Laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (L-RPLND) is not recommended as standard tool in European Association of Urology (EAU) guidelines.

OBJECTIVE

To update the role of L-RPLND in patients with clinical stage I nonseminomatous germ cell tumour (NSGCT) compared to open retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (O-RPLND).

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

A systematic literature search from 1992 to 2008 was performed in Medline, EMBASE, and Cochrane. The largest series from each group was considered. Comparative analysis was based on raw data of series published in 2000 and later.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

Results of >800 patients treated by L-RPLND reported in 34 articles were analyzed. Lymph node dissection (LND) was based on modified templates, removing an average of 16 (5-36) lymph nodes. At experienced centres, complication rates were 15.6% (9.4-25.7), including 2% (0-5) retrograde ejaculation and 1.7% (0-6) reintervention. Operating room times are longer compared to O-RPLND (204 vs 186min). Five publications with a follow-up of 63 (36-89) mo include 557 patients. One hundred twenty-six of 140 (90%) patients with positive nodes (25%, range: 17-38) received adjuvant chemotherapy, resulting in a local relapse rate of 1.4% (0.7-2.3) with no in-field recurrence; rate of distant relapses was 3.3% (1.8-4.6), including one port-site metastasis; and rate of biochemical failure was 0.9% (0.7-2.3). Two of 14 patients with positive nodes (pN1) who did not receive adjuvant chemotherapy relapsed, both 8 mo after surgery, and were salvaged by chemotherapy. Compared with O-RPLND, there was no difference in relapse rates, percentage of patients receiving chemotherapy (29% vs 31%), chemotherapy (CTx) cycles per cohort (0.6), rate of salvage surgery (1.2% vs 1.5%), and patients with no evidence of disease (NED; 100% vs 99.7%).

CONCLUSIONS

L-RPLND offers similar staging accuracy and long-term outcome to O-RPLND. In a late series of experienced L-RPLND centres, there was a trend towards fewer complications. L-RPLND represents a valuable tool for experienced laparoscopic surgeons. Further studies must focus on the curative potential of the procedure in pathologic stage IIA.

Towards individualised radiotherapy for Stage I seminoma

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Adjuvant radiotherapy is currently standard treatment of Stage I seminoma (SOS). The use of computerised tomogram (CT) planning is compared with traditional planning for greater treatment individualisation.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Two plans were generated for each of 10 patients: one using traditional rectangular para-aortic fields, and one using conformal fields. The primary target volume compared was the dosimetric coverage of the inferior vena cava and aorta.

RESULTS

The dosimetric analysis of traditional plans showed that they provided reasonable dosimetric coverage of the CTV. However, if 1cm is used for uncertainty based on nodal coverage then the periphery of the PTV could be significantly under-dosed. The CT based plan delivered improved dosimetry to the vessel PTV compared with the traditional field (CT D 95=24.7 Gy, traditional D 95=23.6 Gy, P=0.002). CT-based plans were significantly wider than traditional plans (CT=11.8 cm, traditional=9 cm, P=0.002). The CT plan tended to irradiate relatively small volumes of the kidneys to higher doses.

CONCLUSIONS

Traditional para-aortic fields may deliver suboptimal dosimetry to an anatomically defined PTV. Our CT-based fields tend to be wider than traditional fields, and provide improved dosimetry to vessels based target volumes. Given that traditional fields are often delivering significantly less than the prescribed dose to the target volume, and that marginal relapses cause a high proportion of treatment failure, there is a suggestion that CT-based plans may avoid under-dosage and geographical miss sometimes seen with traditional plans.

Wertigkeit der Sentinel-Lymphknotenbiopsie bei urologischen Tumoren

Gamma probe-guided lymphadenectomy of prostate cancer that is presumed to be localized furnishes evidence that lymphogenous spread of the disease is present considerably more often and earlier than previously assumed, even when the clinical stage is considered localized. Multiinstitutional trials have confirmed that in principle sentinel lymphadenectomy on its own is able to detect lymph node positive patients with minimal complications and a sufficient degree of certainty. Sentinel lymphadenectomy for penile cancer is an undemanding surgical procedure and in contrast to inguinal lymphadenectomy can be considered minimally invasive. Decisions on indication and necessity for an additional inguinal lymphadenectomy depending on tumor stage and local findings in the inguinal lymph nodes are handled quite differently in various centers and should be further standardized. The most recent studies on sentinel lymphadenectomy for urinary bladder and testicular cancer demonstrate that on principle the procedure is likely feasible also for these tumor entities. Whether it is possible to replace standard treatment methods with these procedures or at least have them serve an ancillary function remains to be determined in further investigations. Basically, the premise holds true that for all urological tumor entities before standard diagnostic techniques are abandoned, the value of exclusively performing sentinel lymphadenectomy must be adequately validated. It does not suffice to rely on the results from other working groups. It is in fact essential that the accuracy of the method - the feasibility of which can be influenced by numerous factors - be assessed by comparison with a standard lymphadenectomy performed in one's own center.

Intraoperative, radio-guided sentinel lymph node mapping in laparoscopic lymph node dissection for Stage I testicular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

The management of regional lymph nodes in patients with clinical Stage I testicular carcinoma is a controversial problem. The authors investigated the feasibility and accuracy of radio-guided mapping of sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) for men with clinical Stage I testicular tumors.

METHODS

Twenty-two patients with clinical Stage I testicular carcinoma were enrolled in the study. One day before surgery, (99m)Technetium-labeled phytate was injected around the testicular tumor. After undergoing radical orchiectomy, patients underwent laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (L-RPLND). All radioactive lymph nodes were marked in the L-RPLND procedure, and three-dimensional SLN maps were made. All resected lymph nodes were evaluated by routine histopathologic examination, and the clinical significance of intraoperative SLN mapping was evaluated.

RESULTS

SLNs were detected in 21 of 22 patients (95%). Nearly all SLNs were detected at the ventral or lateral side of the vena cava or at the aorta between the levels of the aortic bifurcation. All SLNs were detected easily in a surgical procedure. Only 1 radio-positive area per patient was identified in 15 patients, and approximately 2-4 positive areas were detected in 6 patients. Two patients had micrometastasis only in SLNs. In 2 patients who had seminoma, lymph node recurrences (at the level of the renal vein and in the obturator lymph node area) occurred at 10 months and 20 months after surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Radio-guided mapping of SLNs with laparoscopy was feasible, and nearly all SLNs were detected accurately by the procedure. In the near future, the standard retroperitoneal lymph node dissection may be avoided in most patients with clinical Stage I testicular carcinoma by utilizing focused examination of SLNs.

IPSILATERAL SEMINAL EMISSION GENERATED BY ELECTROSTIMULATION OF THE LUMBAR SYMPATHETIC NERVE DURING NERVE SPARING LAPAROSCOPIC RETROPERITONEAL LYMPH NODE DISSECTION FOR TESTICULAR CANCER

PURPOSE

To confirm nerve preservation during laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection we perform electrostimulation of the lumbar sympathetic nerves relevant to ejaculation. In recent cases we monitored seminal emission using endoscopy of the posterior urethra to observe the response to stimulation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Six patients with testicular tumors underwent intraoperative stimulation of the lumbar sympathetic nerves during laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection with a unilateral modified template. A long handled pair of bipolar electrodes was inserted through a laparoscopic port, and ipsilateral and contralateral lumbar sympathetic nerves were individually electrostimulated. Ipsilateral stimulation was performed at the preserved lumbar splanchnic nerves and contralateral stimulation was performed at the union of nerve fibers derived from the lumbar splanchnic nerve just above the superior hypogastric plexus. The side of generated seminal emission was monitored simultaneously by endoscopy of the posterior urethra.

RESULTS

In all patients each electrostimulation generated unilateral seminal emission. Each stimulation of a lumbar splanchnic nerve, whether ipsilateral or contralateral, caused seminal emission only from the ejaculatory orifice of the stimulated side.

CONCLUSIONS

Intraoperative electrostimulation of the lumbar sympathetic nerves generated only ipsilateral seminal emission. This suggests that some efferent sympathetic signals for emission might run ipsilaterally in humans.

Interpretive disparity among pathologists in breast sentinel lymph node evaluation

BACKGROUND

Immunohistochemical staining on breast sentinel lymph nodes (SLN) is controversial.

METHODS

Twenty-five SLN cases were reviewed by 10 pathologists (three academic, seven private) including 5 negative by both hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and immunohistochemistry, 11 micrometastases (<2 mm) negative by H&E but positive by immunohistochemistry, and 8 micrometastases and 1 macrometastasis (>2 mm) positive for both H&E and immunohistochemistry. Answers included "positive," "negative," and "indeterminate" for each slide.

RESULTS

The mean number of incorrect responses was 6.6 for immunohistochemistry and 5 for H&E. Twelve percent of cases were correct by all 10 pathologists; 80% of positive IHC cases had at least one pathologist score it incorrectly. As tumor cells decrease in number, incorrect responses increase. When tumor cells numbered less than 10, more than 30% of pathologists answered incorrectly.

CONCLUSIONS

As tumor cells decrease in number pathologists' ability to recognize them decreases. We propose adding "indeterminate" to "positive" and "negative" when tumor cells number less than 10.

Electrostimulation of sympathetic nerve fibers during nerve-sparing laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection in testicular tumor

A long-handled pair of electrodes with sufficient length to allow stimulation during laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) was designed at our institute. We clinically utilized this electrode in the treatment of a 37-year-old patient with testicular tumor who underwent right orchidectomy and nerve-sparing laparoscopic RPLND. During laparoscopic RPLND, sympathetic nerve fibers relevant to ejaculation were electrically stimulated and changes in pressure at the bladder neck were observed. Nerve preservation was confirmed by increased pressure at the bladder neck and ejaculation immediately after the electrostimulation. The application of laparoscopic electrostimulation may become widespread, particularly since it meets the increasing demand for minimally invasive surgery.

Germ cell tumors: review of selected studies from 2002

Testicular cancer remains a major success story in the realm of solid tumors. There are still many remaining challenges in diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of long-term toxicity. Surgery and platinum-based chemotherapy, however, still encompass the main treatment modalities. Attempts to limit toxicity from both surgery and chemotherapy remain at the forefront of research. New chemotherapeutic options are available for patients with platinum-resistant disease, and stem cell transplant remains an area of active study.