A pilot study of sentinel lymph nodes identification in patients with endometrial cancer.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of sentinel lymph node (SLN) identification in patients with endometrial cancer.


METHODS
Twenty patients with endometrial cancer undergoing hysterectomy and lymphadenectomy were included in the study. At laparotomy, methylene blue dye was injected into the subserosal myometrium of corpus uteri at multiple sites. Dye uptake into lymphatic channels was observed and blue nodes were identified as SLNs. The SLNs were biopsied before lymphadenectomy performed. The samples of SLNs and non-SLNs were recorded separately and correlated with the final pathological results.


RESULTS
Dye uptake into lymphatic channels was seen in all 20 cases. Among them, SLN was identified in 15 (75%) cases. A total of 71 SLNs with a mean number of 4.7 SLN (range, 1-10) were identified from all pelvic sites. The most frequent locations of SLNs included obturator in 29 (41%), interiliac in 16 (26%). No dye-containing paraaortic nodes were found. Two patients (10%) had nodal metastases, and they all had at least one SLN found to be positive. No adverse reactions or injures were attributed to the study.


CONCLUSIONS
This study shows the feasibility and safety of SLN identification with blue dye in patients with endometrial cancer undergoing staging surgery. The approach might provide an alternative to limit the extent of nodal sampling.
Li
Bin
B
Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Cancer Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing 100021, China. lb87960440@vip.sina.com
Li
Xiao-guang
XG
Wu
Ling-ying
LY
Zhang
Wen-hua
WH
Li
Shu-min
SM
Min
Cheng
C
Gao
Ju-zhen
JZ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018269:Carcinoma, Endometrioid / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008751:Methylene Blue; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D021701:Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy / Q000379:methods*
D008751:Methylene Blue