title: Sentinel node biopsy as a tool for accurate staging of eyelid and conjunctival malignancies.
abstract: Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy has emerged as a technique for accurate staging of solid tumors. This technique permits the detection of microscopic metastases in clinically negative regional lymph nodes and may be indicated for malignancies that have a propensity for regional nodal metastasis. With the exception of basal cell carcinoma, almost all malignancies of the eyelid and conjunctiva metastasize to regional lymph nodes as the site of first metastasis. The histologic status of the SLNs has been shown to be the most significant prognostic factor with respect to recurrence and survival in patients with cutaneous melanoma. The indications for and the feasibility of SLN biopsy for eyelid and conjunctival tumors and our experience with this technique are reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Department Department of Plastic Surgery, Box 443, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030, USA. besmaeli@mdanderson.org
authors.forename: Bita
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Esmaeli
mesh_terms: D003230:Conjunctival Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D005142:Eyelid Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D021701:Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy / Q000379:methods*