Where to look for the sentinel lymph node in cervical cancer.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to analyze lymphatic spread to pelvic, parametrial, and paraaortic lymph nodes in patients with cervical cancer.


METHODS
We reviewed 619 patients with invasive cervical cancer treated by radical abdominal hysterectomy and systematic pelvic or pelvic and paraaortic lymphadenectomy between 1971 and 2005. The present study included 61 patients with one positive lymph node (10%) and 59 patients with two positive lymph nodes (10%) at any location.


RESULTS
The external iliac (43%) and obturator (26%) regions and the parametrium (21%) were the most commonly involved pelvic lymph node sites with solitary metastases. Isolated metastases to common iliac, presacral (internal iliac), and paraaortic nodes were found in 7%, 1%, and 1% of patients, respectively. Patients with 2 positive nodes had 1 parametrial and 1 pelvic node involved (32%), 2 ipsilateral positive nodes (31%), 1 positive lymph node on both sides of the pelvis (27%), and 2 positive nodes within the parametrium (10%).


CONCLUSIONS
In cervical cancer patients with only 1 positive lymph node, this node is most frequently located within the external iliac and obturator regions and the parametrium. Sentinel node identification should primarily address these lymph node sites. If 1 positive lymph node is found, further metastases are unpredictable within pelvic and parametrial lymph node sites. Paraaortic spread without pelvic node involvement is rare.
Bader
Arnim A
AA
Division of Gynecology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria. arnim.bader@meduni-graz.at
Winter
Raimund
R
Haas
Josef
J
Tamussino
Karl F
KF
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures; D006801:Humans; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D021701:Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery