Sentinel lymph node biopsy in squamous cell carcinomas of the lips and the oral cavity - a single center experience.
OBJECTIVE
Despite the availability of initial data on sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in OSCC, its value in clinical practice remains unclear. The aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility and potential of SLNB as a reliable staging procedure in early stage SCC of the lips and the oral mucosa.


METHODS
From 2001 to 2004, 40 patients with early stage SCC of the lips and oral cavity were enrolled. The main inclusion criteria were: cN0 category by MRI and ultrasound, tumor category T1-T2, for certain sites also T3. Patients with positive SLN underwent MRND and/or radiation. Patients with negative SLN were monitored monthly.


RESULTS
In eight patients, the SLN were positive. Two patients with negative SLN subsequently developed nodal disease (5% false negatives). Twenty-one patients have a follow-up longer than 24 months. Five patients died (one from nodal disease, one from local recurrence, and three from unrelated causes). One patient developed a second primary tumor, the remaining patients are free of disease.


CONCLUSIONS
SLNB may contribute to more targeted lymph node dissection strategies. Further studies will have to ensure the safety of this procedure in comparison to selective neck dissection.
Frerich
Bernhard
B
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Facial Plastic Surgery, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany. frerich@medizin.uni-leipzig.de
Förster
Marcus
M
Schiefke
Franziska
F
Wittekind
Christian
C
Hemprich
Alexander
A
Sabri
Osama
O
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008046:Lip; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000473:pathology; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D037981:Neck Dissection; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D021701:Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy