Pitfalls in the sentinel lymph node procedure in vulvar cancer.
OBJECTIVE
There is an increasing interest among gynecologic oncologists to implement the sentinel lymph node (SLN) procedure in vulvar cancer patients in clinical practice. However, the safety of this promising method of staging still has to be proven in a randomized trial.


METHODS
Two vulvar cancer patients are reported to illustrate pitfalls in the sentinel lymph node procedure.


RESULTS
The phenomena of bypassing the sentinel lymph node and confusion about the number of removed sentinel lymph nodes are presented and discussed.


CONCLUSIONS
Gynecological oncologists who perform the sentinel lymph node procedure in vulvar cancer patients should perform this technique by following a strict protocol and within the protection of a clinical trial.
de Hullu
J A
JA
Department of Gynecologic Oncology, University Medical Centre Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Oonk
M H M
MH
Ansink
A C
AC
Hollema
H
H
Jager
P L
PL
van der Zee
A G J
AG
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D021701:Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D014846:Vulvar Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery