title: [Lymphatic mapping and sentinel lymph node biopsy in patients with high risk squamous cell carcinoma of the skin].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Some sub-groups of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) display a higher risk for regional metastasis. Sentinel lymph node staging has been used successfully to evaluate nodal metastasis in selective tumors.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Assess the feasibility of sentinel node to detect occult regional lymph node metastasis in high-risk CSCC.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between January 2002 and March 2004, a total of 20 patients received pre-operative lymphoscintigraphy and sentinel lymphadenectomy for high-risk CSCC with clinically non-palpable regional lymph nodes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In one of each 5 patients (20%), sentinel lymph node showed histological evidence of microinvolvement. No patients with negative sentinel node showed tumor dissemination during follow-up, with a mean of 23.5 months (range 7-44).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sentinel lymph node biopsy is technically feasible with low morbidity. Sentinel lymphadenectomy may play an important role in the management of high-risk CSCC with clinically non-palpable regional lymph nodes. This technique can help identify patients with regional lymph node metastases who may benefit from complete lymphadenectomy. This improved staging may allow clinicians to better stratify patients who might benefit from adjuvant therapy.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Tumores de Cabeza, Cuello y Piel, Hospital de Oncología, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, IMSS, México, DF, México. resendizjaime@AOL.com
authors.forename: Jaime Alonso
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Reséndiz-Colosia
authors.forename: Adriana Abigail
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Valenzuela-Flores
authors.forename: Guadalupe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Torres-Nuñez
authors.forename: Alma Gabriela
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Valenzuela-Flores
authors.forename: Rutilio
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Flores-Díaz
authors.forename: Francisco José
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Gallegos-Hernández
authors.forename: Sergio Arturo
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Rodríguez-Cuevas
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology* / Q000556:secondary*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D021701:Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*