Sentinel lymph node biopsy for cutaneous head and neck malignancies |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Otolaryngology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, MA 02114, USA;2. Department of Otology and Laryngology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA &3. Kevin S Emerick Department of Otolaryngology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, MA 02114, USA;5. Department of Otology and Laryngology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USAKevin_Emerick@meei.harvard.edu |
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| Abstract: | Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is a procedure that can provide critical information regarding pathologic lymph node status and accurate regional staging. This is very important for developing treatment plans and providing prognostic guidance for cutaneous malignancies. The head and neck (HN) region is unique from other body sites due to its complex lymphatic drainage pathways, multiple lymph node basins, proximity of important cranial nerves and potential for contralateral or bilateral drainage. These unique aspects of the HN previously created some uncertainty about the use of SLNB in the HN. This review will discuss the current reliable status of HN SLNB and provide a guide for its current application in cutaneous malignancy of the HN. |
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| Keywords: | cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma head and neck cancer lymph node metastasis melanoma Merkel cell carcinoma sentinel lymph node biopsy |
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