The biologic significance of micrometastatic disease and sentinel lymph node technology on colorectal cancer.
The sentinel lymph node (SLN) technique has practical applications in multiple solid tumors including colorectal carcinoma. Identifying the SLN(s) provides better staging of the regional lymphatics beyond standard H&E analysis. This additional information assists in predicting biology and may be useful in guiding adjuvant therapy. We postulate the era of sentinel node has ushered in a new generation of node-negative patients; patients that have an exceptionally favorable outcome when compared to historic controls.
Iddings
Douglas
D
Department of Surgical Oncology, John Wayne Cancer Institute at Saint John's Health Center, Santa Monica, California 90404, USA.
Bilchik
Anton
A
D001695:Biology; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000556:secondary*; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000473:pathology*; D013677:Medical Laboratory Science; D020360:Neoadjuvant Therapy; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D021701:Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy