title: Sentinel lymph node biopsy for head and neck mucosal cancers - an update on the current evidence.
abstract: Regional metastases are a prominent feature of mucosal-associated head and neck squamous cell carcinomas and are an important prognostic factor. Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is one modality that has potential to add to the accuracy of neck staging, although it is currently not used as widely in the head and neck as it is in other areas such as breast cancer. We review the efficacy of SLNB in head and neck mucosal squamous cell carcinomas and provide an overview of current practice and include details of technical advances.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Torbay Hospital, Torquay, UK.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Green
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth, UK.
authors.forename: JNStJ
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Blythe
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth, UK.
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Brennan
mesh_terms: D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D009092:Mucous Membrane; D021701:Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy
keywords: head and neck squamous cell carcinoma; review; sentinel lymph node biopsy; sentinel node