Factors associated with detection failure and false-negative sentinel node biopsy findings in gastric cancer: results of prospective single center trials.
OBJECTIVE
The factors associated with successful sentinel node biopsy (SNB) are limited in gastric cancer despite a wide range of sensitivities reported. This study was performed to identify the factors associated with detection failure and SNB false-negativity in gastric cancer.


METHODS
SNB was performed on 156 gastric cancer patients from May 2002 to April 2007 at the Korean National Cancer Center during three consecutive prospective trials. Indications for SNB were determined preoperatively in cT1-2N0 patients. Dissected SNs and non-SNs after D2 lymphadenectomy were pathologically evaluated for metastasis. Clinical, pathological, and technical factors were analyzed for detection failure and false-negativity.


RESULTS
SNs were detected in 147 patients (94.2%) and the median number of SNs detected per patient was 3 (1-12). Twenty-five of 37 with nodal metastasis were diagnosed by SNB (sensitivity, 67.6%). Surgeon's inexperience (<or=30 procedures) and a male patient gender were significantly associated with detection failure (P = 0.014 and 0.031, respectively). A small number of SNs (<or= 3) was found to be significantly associated with false-negativity (P = 0.027).


CONCLUSIONS
SNB requires experience for successful detection and should be performed cautiously in male patients. Harvesting of more than three SNs is warranted to reduce false-negatives when diagnosing nodal metastasis.
Lee
Jun Ho
JH
Gastric Cancer Branch, Research Institute and Hospital, National Cancer Center, Gyeonggi-do, Korea.
Ryu
Keun Won
KW
Nam
Byung-Ho
BH
Kook
Myeong-Cherl
MC
Cho
Soo-Jeong
SJ
Lee
Jong Yeul
JY
Kim
Chan Gyoo
CG
Choi
Il Ju
IJ
Park
Sook Ryun
SR
Kim
Young Woo
YW
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D021701:Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery