Pattern of lymph node metastases in squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsil: implication for selective neck dissection

The aim of this study was to prospectively analyze the distribution of neck metastases and the outcome in patients surgically treated for tonsillar carcinoma in order to deduce implications for selective neck dissection. The criteria for inclusion in the study were (1) previously untreated, histologically proven, resectable squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsil, (2) curative surgical intent on the primary tumor and neck, (3) no history of prior head and neck cancer, (4) absence of synchronous second primary in the upper aerodigestive tract, lung and esophagus, (5) absence of distant metastases. Fifty-eight previously untreated consecutive patients with tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma were included in this prospective study. Among 22 patients with clinically negative cervical lymph nodes, 4 patients (18.2%) had metastatic lymph nodes on pathologic examination. Occult node metastases were mainly located in ipsilateral II level. No occult metastases occurred at levels I and V. Among 36 patients with clinically positive cervical lymph nodes, 3 patients (8.3%) had an occult pathologic metastatic involvement of cervical lymph nodes of ipsilateral level V. Level I was free of lymph node metastases. Clinical N category >N2a (p=0.003), nodal metastases to levels III (p=0.026) and IV (p=0.009) were significantly related to level V nodal metastases. The 2 and 5 years actuarial disease-free survival was 82.7% (95% CI 71.2-93.5%) and 58.3% (95% CI 36.7-79.9%), respectively. The actuarial recurrence-free survival was 87.9% (95% CI 78.9-96.8%) and 72.2% (95% CI 53.9-90.5%) at 2 and 5 years, respectively. Our findings support the role of a selective lateral neck dissection in the management of clinically N0 necks and in selected N+ necks (N1 and N2a disease located at level II) in patients with tonsillar carcinoma without oral involvement.     

Radioisotope-guided surgery in patients with pheochromocytoma and recurrent medullary thyroid carcinoma: a comparison of preoperative and intraoperative tumor localization with histopathologic findings

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to appraise the detection of metastases of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) and pheochromocytoma using radioguided surgery (RGS) and to compare the results with external imaging modalities, surgical palpation, and histopathologic findings. METHODS: Twenty-five patients with recurrent MTC underwent preoperative scintigraphic imaging with 500 megabecquerels (MBq) of technetium 99m(V)-dimercaptosuccinic acid [(99m)Tc(V)-DMSA] and 222 MBq of indium 111 ((111)In)-pentetreotide. The radiopharmaceutical that showed the greatest preoperative tumor uptake was selected for intraoperative RGS. Surgery was performed 24 hours after the administration of (111)In-pentetreotide or 4 hours after the injection of (99m)Tc(V)-DMSA. Furthermore, three male patients underwent surgery who suffered from recurrent pheochromocytoma (injection of 180 MBq iodine 123-labeled metaiodobenzylguanidine [(123)I-MIBG] 4--5 hours before surgery). RESULTS: Overall, lesion detection sensitivities in patients with MTC for computed tomography, (111)In-pentetreotide, and (99m)Tc(V)-DMSA were 32%, 34%, and 65%, respectively. Surgical palpation identified lymph node metastases of recurrent MTC with a sensitivity of 65%, whereas RGS localized 64 malignant lesions (sensitivity, 97%). Altogether, 71 lesions could be excised, 5 of which were adjudged false positive with respect to MTC metastases. Both surgical palpation and RGS localized all paravertebral subdiaphragmatic lesions (size > or = 2 cm) of recurrent pheochromocytoma seen in the preoperative MIBG scan. CONCLUSIONS: RGS was capable of localizing more and smaller metastases of MTC compared with conventional imaging modalities and surgical palpation. However, the relatively high radioligand accumulation in the kidneys ((111)In-pentetreotide) and the dense hepatic and biliary signals using MIBG limited their use for intraoperative detection of tumors in the area of the adrenal gland.     

前哨淋巴结检测在早期宫颈癌中的临床应用

背景与目的：前哨淋巴结（sentinel lymphnode,SLN）检测已经广泛应用于一些实体肿瘤的治疗方案设计中,特别是乳腺癌和体表恶性黑色素瘤。若SLN阴性,则可视为该淋巴区域无肿瘤转移。本研究的目的是探讨放射性核素定位法、活性染料定位法及二者联合法探测宫颈癌SLN和评价SLN对早期宫颈癌盆腔淋巴结转移状况的预测价值。方法：27例欲行广泛性子宫切除＋盆腔淋巴结清扫术的宫颈癌患者,术前16h注射^99mTc-右旋糖酐,进行SLN显像：手术时．注射亚甲蓝约4ml,寻找监染淋巴结;同时术中用1探针探测放射性热点。SLN全部被切除后,行广泛子宫切除＋盆腔淋巴结清扫术,所有切除的SLN及非SLN（non—sentinel lymph node,NSLN）分别送常规病理检查。结果：染料法、核素法、联合法对27例患者的SLN检出率分别为96.3%（26/27）、100%（27/27）,100%（27/27）;27例患者中染料法、核素法、联合法分别检出SLN61枚、69枚、70枚;核素法中,术前SPECT/CT融合显像较平面显像多检出4枚宫旁淋巴结。病理结果示7例患者有淋巴结转移,占25.9%（7/27）。SLN检测的敏感性,准确性、阴性预测值,假阴性率分别为85.7%（6/7）,96.3%（26/27）,95.2%（20/21）,14.3%（1/7）。结论：术前SPECT/CT三维断层显像检出SLN的敏感性优于平面显像,并且能够对SLN进行准确定位,联合应用放射性核素定位法和活性染料识别法提高了SLN检出的准确性;SLN的病理结果可以准确的预测早期宫颈癌患者盆腔淋巴结的病理状态。     

The role of supraomohyoid neck dissection in patients of oral cavity carcinoma(small star, filled)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of supraomohyoid neck dissection (SOHND) in oral carcinoma patients with clinically negative neck nodes. From July 1993 to June 1998, 140 patients with oral carcinomas and clinically negative lymph nodes in the neck underwent elective SOHND in Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan. Thirty-seven patients had postoperative radiotherapy.Thirty-four (24.3%) patients had occult cervical metastases. The overall regional control rates were 93.4% vs. 85.3% for pathologically negative vs positive nodes, respectively, with or without adjuvant radiotherapy. Adjuvant radiotherapy significantly improved ipsilateral regional control (P=0.012) in patients with occult cervical metastases but not in patients with negative neck disease. (P=1.0) SOHND is both a diagnostic and therapeutic procedure in patients with negative neck disease. Its therapeutic role in patients with positive neck disease remains controversial. Postoperative radiotherapy significantly improve ipsilateral neck control in patients with occult cervical metastasis.     

Significance of Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy and Immunohistochemistry in Diagnosis and Staging and staging of Stage-cNO Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

OBJECTlVE To assess the significance of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB),serial section and cytokeratin immunohistochemical staining in the diagnosis and staging of Stage-cNO oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).METHODS A blue stain,99mTc.dextran SPECT lymphoscintigrapgy and intraoperative γ-ray probes were used to examine the sentinel nodes in 31 cases with Stage-cNO oral cancer.The H&E staining and a cytokeratin AE1/AE3 immunohistochemistry (IHC) assessment,with serial sections,were conducted to provide results obtained from a routine pathological examination of lymph nodes.The value of the routine pathological examination of the sentinel lymph node (SLN),serial sections and IHC determination for cervical Iymph node metastasis of Stage-cNO OSCC was appraised.RESULTS A total of 45,55 and 51 SLNs were examined in 25 (80%),31 (100%) and 30(96.5%) of the cases,by using the blue stain,γ-ray probes,and SPECT lymphoscintigraphy,respectively.The average SLNs found in each case of the groups was 1.4(1 to 3)and there were 1,302 non-NSLNs.Six positive SLN metastases were detected by routine pathological examination,among which 1 case was found to be an accompanied positive metastasis of non-SLN.One positive SLN metastasis was found after examination of serial sections plus routine H&E staining and 2 were detected using serial sections plus AE3 immunohistochemical staining methods.No positive NSLNs were found in the study.CONCLUSION In order to make more progress in accurate SLNB diagnosis,serial sections and OHC (AE1/AE3) methods can be used for examination of the micrometastases which are difficult to identify by routine pathological sections and H&E staining.node,micrometastasis,serial sections,immunohistochemistry.     

鼻咽癌99m↑Tc-HL91乏氧显像与HIF-1α的相关性研究

目的研究鼻咽癌99m↑Tc-HL91乏氧显像特征及其与HIF-1α表达的相关性。方法对12例鼻咽癌初诊患者静脉注射99m↑Tc-HL91 740-1110 MBq（20～30 mCi）1 h及4 h后,分别行平面及SPECT断层扫描,应用计算机感兴趣区（ROI）,分别勾画各时相的鼻咽肿瘤和颈部淋巴结（T）与对侧相应部位（N）的感兴趣区,计算两者的比值得到T/N值。采用免疫组化法检测肿瘤组织HIF-1α表达水平。结果 12例患者鼻咽部位和（或）颈部淋巴结转移灶均见示踪剂浓集。注射99m↑Tc-HL91示踪剂4 h后病灶显影较1 h明显（P〈0.01）。99m↑Tc-HL91断层图像T/N比值始终高于平面图像（P〈0.01）,而且图像更清晰。示踪剂在鼻咽癌肿瘤部位的浓集与在颈部淋巴结转移灶的浓集无统计学差异（P〉0.05）。HIF-1α阳性表达细胞占总细胞数的百分率为39.8%～77.8%（中位数56.4%）。HIF-1α表达与HL91断层图像上鼻咽肿瘤病灶对示踪剂的摄取明显相关（P〈0.05）,而与颈部淋巴结转移灶对HL91的摄取及平面图像上鼻咽肿瘤病灶的摄取无关（P〉0.05）。结论鼻咽癌原发肿瘤病灶和（或）颈部转移淋巴结对乏氧显像剂99m↑Tc-HL91摄取显著,4h后病灶显影较1 h明显。99m↑Tc-HL91断层图像上鼻咽肿瘤病灶对示踪剂的摄取与HIF-1α的表达呈正相关。     

Usefulness of 99mTc-tetrofosmin scintigraphy in different variants of Kaposi's sarcoma

We investigated (99m)Tc-tetrofosmin scintigraphy in 27 patients with Kaposi's sarcoma: 20 had classic (CK), 5 AIDS-associated (AK) and 2 transplantation-associated (TK) variants. Twenty-three patients had clinically evident cutaneous and/or mucosal lesions, 9 of them with associated sarcomatous lymphadenopathy; 2 TK patients had only lymph nodes or other extracutaneous Kaposi sites. Both planar and SPECT (99m)Tc-tetrofosmin scintigraphies were performed in all cases and neck pinhole (P)-SPECT in selected patients. (99m)Tc-tetrofosmin uptake was observed in 88% of patients with clinically evident cutaneous and/or extracutaneous Kaposi lesions. Scintigraphy gave additional information on cutaneous lesion extent, particularly SPECT regarding deep invasion and subclinical sites in some cases. However, scintigraphy was less sensitive in the detection of small, isolated and scattered lesions. SPECT/P-SPECT were positive in 8/8 patients with sarcomatous lymph nodes, planar imaging in 5/8, ultrasonography in 7/8, while all procedures were negative in 6 other patients with reactive or HIV infection lymph nodes. SPECT demonstrated lymphadenopathy remission in 1 TK patient after immunosuppressive therapy modification and, like planar imaging, ascertained an associated lymphoma with (67)Ga-citrate combined. (99m)Tc-tetrofosmin scintigraphy, especially SPECT, can be useful both in the detection and staging of Kaposi sarcoma lesions as a complementary tool to clinical and other conventional diagnostic methods.     

Lymphoscintigraphic localization of sentinel node in early colorectal cancer: results of a monocentric study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Evaluation of the feasibility of the sentinel node technique in early colorectal neoplasms and its overall accuracy in predicting nodal metastases. METHODS: Thirty-five patients with colon or rectal lesions or degenerate polyps not radically excised by endoscopy were included. Lymphatic mapping was performed with 99mTc labeled albumin colloid injected submucosally by an endoscopic route the afternoon before the surgical procedure. The day of the intervention, 2.5% patent blue V dye (S.A.L.F: Italy) was injected circumferentially around the tumor. A hand held gamma detecting probe (Scintiprobe m100, Pol-Hi-Tech, Italy) was employed to detect "hot" nodes, in vivo and ex vivo. All sentinel nodes were embedded separately for haematoxylin and eosin staining. No IHC or PCR techniques were employed. RESULTS: Sentinel lymph nodes (SLN) were successfully identified in 35 out of 35 patients. Concordance between SLN and nodal status was observed in 32 out of 35 cases (91.4%); four patients (11.4%) were upstaged. Three skip nodal metastases were observed (false-negative rate: 8.5%). CONCLUSIONS: The sentinel node technique with blue dye and radiotracer seems valuable in early colorectal cancers detected by screening programs: a good organization and a learning curve are needed, as further multicentric studies.     

Sentinel lymph node biopsy as guidance for radical trachelectomy in young patients with early stage cervical cancer

Background  

The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility and accuracy of sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) detection using 99mTc phytate in predicting pelvic lymph nodes status for radical abdominal trachelectomy (RAT) in patients with early stage cervical cancer.     

Detection of sentinel lymph node in early cervical cancer

CervicalcancerwasoncerankedinsecondpositionamongthemostcommonmalignanttumorinChinesewomen.Theincidencerateofthecervicalcancerwasremarkablyreducedduetothenewlydevelopedmedicaltechniquesandthesocalledthethreeearly?po1icy:earlyprevention,earlydiagnosisandearlytreatment.Thedeathrateofcervicalcancerdescendedby10.3/100000in1970to3.3/1000001990.However,thetrendoftheincidencerateofear1ycervica1cancerissignificantlyincreasedamongtheyoungerwomenpopulation.Thestandardtechniqueofthesurgicaltreatmentforea…     

21例多原发癌SPECT全身骨扫描显像的临床分析

目的：通过对21例多原发癌病人的SPECT全身骨扫描分析,了解骨转移病灶分布特点。方法：通过给病人注射^99mTc—MDP显像剂,2—3小时后,行全身SPECT骨扫描。结果：多原发癌病人尤其是与乳癌或肺癌合并的多原发癌病人,大部分发生多发性骨转移。结论：多原发癌病人,易发生多发性骨转移,常规行SPECT全身骨扫描是必要的。     

Detecting mediastinal lymph node metastases in non-small-cell lung cancer using a combination of technetium-99m tetrofosmin chest single photon emission computed tomography and chest computed tomography

The staging of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) to detect mediastinal lymph node (MLN) metastases is very important for determining the therapeutic strategy.

Methods: Thirty-four patients with proven NSCLC were enrolled in this study. All patients underwent chest computed tomography (CT) and technetium-99m (Tc-99m) tetrofosmin chest single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) preoperative staging. Mediastinal lymph node metastases were determined on the basis of postoperative pathologic findings to compare the diagnostic accuracy of chest CT with that of Tc-99m tetrofosmin chest SPECT.

Results: Tc-99m tetrofosmin chest SPECT showed a diagnostic accuracy rate of 85.3% in detecting MLN metastases. Chest CT had an accuracy rate of 73.5%. If either Tc-99m tetrofosmin chest SPECT or chest CT with positive findings was considered as positive findings, the sensitivity was 94.7%. If either Tc-99m tetrofosmin chest SPECT or chest CT with negative findings was considered as negative, the specificity was 93.3%.

Conclusion: Tc-99m tetrofosmin chest SPECT was more accurate than chest CT in detecting MLN metastases in NSCLC patients. In addition, the combined use of Tc-99m tetrofosmin chest SPECT and chest CT could significantly increase the sensitivity and specificity compared with the single use of either Tc-99m tetrofosmin chest SPECT or chest CT.     

Sentinel lymph nodes with technetium-99m colloidal rhenium sulfide in patients with esophageal carcinoma

BACKGROUND: The authors assessed the detection of sentinel lymph nodes in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) using technetium-99m colloidal rhenium sulfide. They studied whether an analysis of sentinel lymph nodes using cytokeratin (CK) immunohistochemistry increased the accuracy of staging. METHODS: The authors observed 25 patients with thoracic esophageal carcinomas who underwent radical esophagectomy. The day before surgery, technetium-99m colloidal rhenium sulfide was injected into the submucosa at four sites around the primary tumor. Lymphoscintigraphy was performed. Esophagectomy and regional lymph node dissection were performed 17 hours after the technetium-99m injection. After surgery, the resected lymph nodes were evaluated by CK staining. RESULTS: Lymphoscintigraphy detected sentinel lymph nodes in 92% of the patients (23 of 25 patients). The accuracy of sentinel lymph node was 91.3% (21 of 23 patients), the sensitivity was 86.7% (13 of 15 patients), and the false-negative rate was 8.7% (2 of 23 patients). A comparison of the number of sentinel lymph nodes and clinicopathologic factors showed that there was a significant association between the number of sentinel lymph nodes and lymph node status (P < 0.01), pathologic stage (P < 0.05), and the number of metastatic lymph nodes (P < 0.05). Occult metastasis was detected by CK staining in 14 (56%) of the 25 patients and in 23 (1.7%) of 1406 lymph nodes. Because the 2 false-negative (sentinel lymph node-negative and nonsentinel lymph node-positive) patients who had occult metastases in the sentinel lymph nodes, the accuracy of sentinel lymph node evaluation using CK staining was 100% (23 of 23). CONCLUSIONS: Lymphatic mapping with technetium-99m colloidal rhenium sulfide was used to identify the lymphatic basin and was feasible in patients with esophageal SCC. An analysis of sentinel lymph nodes using CK immunohistochemistry increased the accuracy of sentinel lymph node.     

Lymph nodes mapping for detection of sentinel nodes in patients with papillary thyroid cancer

We examined the feasibility of sentinel lymph node biopsy for papillary thyroid cancer. In the dye injection method, 1% of isosulfan blue dye was injected around the tumor of 32 patients intra-operatively, and in the radioisotope (RI) colloid injection method, 99mTc-tin colloid was injected in 23 patients 1 day preoperatively. Lymph node mapping for detection of sentinel nodes was performed after thyroidectomy and central and modified lateral neck lymph node dissections. All dissected nodes were examined postoperatively by hematoxylineosin staining to determine whether or not metastasis was present. In the dye injection method, sentinel lymph nodes were identified in 30 (94%) of the 32 patients. Lymph node metastases were found in 14 patients, and some sentinel lymph nodes had papillary cancer metastasis in 13 patients. There was only 1 false-negative case. Sensitivity and accuracy of sentinel lymph node biopsy was 93% (13/14) and 97% (29/30). With the RI method, detection rate, sensitivity and accuracy of sentinel lymph node biopsy was 96% (22/23), 90% (9/10) and 95% (21/22), respectively. Our preliminary study indicated that sentinel lymph node biopsy was feasible in patients with thyroid cancer. It may be helpful in avoiding unnecessary lymph node dissection and improving quality of life in patients with thyroid cancer.     

In vivo identification of sentinel lymph nodes for clinical stage I non-small cell lung cancer for abbreviation of mediastinal lymph node dissection

BACKGROUND: We previously reported that an identification of sentinel lymph node (SN) with a techenetium-99m (99mTc) tin colloid by ex vivo counting, i.e. the radio-activity of dissected lymph nodes, was a reliable method of establishing the first site of nodal metastasis in non-small cell lung cancer [J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. 124(2002)486]. However, for SN navigation surgery, SN should be identified before lymph node dissection (in vivo) but not after that (ex vivo). In order to reduce mediastinal lymph node dissection for clinical stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by SN navigation surgery, the SN identifications for hilar lymph nodes by ex vivo counting, and for mediastinal lymph nodes by in vivo, were evaluated. METHODS: Intra-operative SN identification using 99mTc tin colloid was conducted on 104 patients with clinical stage I NSCLC who had had major lung resections with mediastinal lymph node dissections. The hilar SNs were identified by ex vivo counting (after lung resection) and the mediastinal SNs were identified by in vivo counting (before lymph node dissection). To evaluate the accuracy of mediastinal SN identification by in vivo counting, it was compared with the data by ex vivo counting. RESULTS: SNs were identified in 84 patients (81%). SNs were identified at the hilum by ex vivo counting in 78 patients (93%) and at the mediastinum by in vivo counting in 40 patients (48%). While 15 patients had lymph node metastases, i.e. N1 in six and N2 in nine, the SNs could be found to have metastases during operation in 13 of the 15 patients (87%). The in vivo counting of the mediastinum missed out the mediastinal SNs identified by ex vivo counting in four of the 84 patients (5%). CONCLUSION: If the hilar SNs identified by ex vivo counting and the mediastinal SNs identified by in vivo counting had no metastases, then mediastinal lymph node dissection could be abbreviated for patients with clinical stage I NSCLC.     

Breast cancer axillary lymph node metastasis detection by a high-resolution dedicated breast camera: a comparative study with SPECT and pinhole SPECT

We evaluated the usefulness of (99m)Tc-tetrofosmin planar scintigraphy acquired with a high-resolution (HR) dedicated breast camera in comparison with conventional single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and pinhole-SPECT (P-SPECT) in breast cancer (BC) axillary lymph node metastasis detection in a consecutive series of 76 BC patients, 28 of whom had axillary lymph node metastases, including 9 positive at clinical examination. HR planar scintigraphy was true positive in only 7 patients with >3 palpable metastases (sensitivity: 25%), while SPECT was true positive in 23 of 28 cases (sensitivity: 82.1%) and P-SPECT in 25 of 28 (sensitivity: 89.3%). SPECT was false negative in 5 patients with nonpalpable 3 metastatic nodes. SPECT should be preferred, significantly improving the sensitivity of planar scintigraphy, especially when using a pinhole collimator.     

Current status of sentinel lymph node mapping in the management of cervical cancer

The status of regional lymph nodes is the most important prognostic factor in early cervical cancer patients. Pelvic lymph node dissections are routinely performed as a part of standard surgical treatment. Systematic pelvic lymphadenectomy is associated with short- and long-term morbidities. This review discusses single components of the sentinel lymph node mapping (SLNM) technique and results of the detection of sentinel lymph nodes. SLNM biopsy performed by an experienced team for small volume tumors (<2 cm) has high specific side detection rate, excellent negative-predictive value and high sensitivity. Uncommon lymphatic drainage has been reported in 15% of cervical cancer patients. There is sufficient data now to suggest that SLNM with 99mTc plus blue dye in the hands of a surgeon with extensive experience should prove to be an important part of individualized cervical cancer surgery and increase the safety of less radical or fertility-sparing surgery.     

Significance of Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy and Immunohistochemistry in Diagnosis and Staging of Stage-cNO Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

OBJECTIVE To assess the significance of sentinel lymph node biopsy （SLNB）, serial section and cytokeratin immunohistochemical staining in the diagnosis and staging of Stage-cNO oral squamous cell carcinoma （OSCC）, METHODS A blue stain, 99mTc-dextran SPECT lymphoscintigrapgy and intraoperative y-ray probes were used to examine the sentinel nodes in 31 cases with Stage-oNO oral cancer, The H＆E staining and a cytokeratin AE1/ AE3 immunohistochemistry （IHC） assessment, with serial sections, were conducted to provide results obtained from a routine pathological examination of lymph nodes, The value of the routine pathological examination of the sentinel lymph node （SLN）, serial sections and IHC determination for cervical lymph node metastasis of Stage-cN0 OSCC was appraised, RESULTS A total of 45, 55 and 51 SLNs were examined in 25 （80%）, 31 （100%） and 30 （96,5%） of the cases, by using the blue stain, y-ray probes, and SPECT lymphoscintigraphy, respectively, The average SLNs found in each case of the groups was 1,4 （1 to 3） and there were 1,302 non-NSLNs, Six positive SLN metastases were detected by routine pathological examination, among which 1 case was found to be an accompanied positive metastasis of non-SLN, One positive SLN metastasis was found after examination of serial sections plus routine H＆E staining and 2 were detected using serial sections plus AE3 immunohistochemical staining methods, No positive NSLNs were found in the study, CONCLUSION In order to make more progress in accurate SLNB diagnosis, serial sections and IHC （AE1/AE3） methods can be used for examination of the micrometastases which are difficult to identify by routine pathological sections and H＆E staining.     

早期宫颈癌盆腔淋巴结转移的分布

目的 探讨早期宫颈癌患者盆腔淋巴结转移的规律,提出宫颈癌盆腔淋巴结三级分站的可行性.方法 选取196例行广泛子宫切除和盆腔淋巴清扫术的Ⅰa2～Ⅱa期宫颈癌患者为研究对象,术前在宫颈肿瘤周围黏膜下3、6、9、12点处分别注射99mTc-硫胶体0.5ml,术后将清扫的盆腔淋巴结用闾讲庖墙刑逋馓讲?确定放射活性计数比同侧淋巴结升高5倍者为前哨淋巴结,将切除的盆腔淋巴结连续切片行HE染色进行病理检测.结果 共检出41例患者的83枚转移盆腔淋巴结,其中宫旁和闭孔淋巴结转移65枚,髂内外淋巴结转移17枚,髂总淋巴结转移1枚.22例宫旁淋巴结转移患者中,同时伴有髂内淋巴结转移者3例,髂外淋巴结转移者5例,髂内和髂外淋巴结均转移者1例.19例闭孔淋巴结转移患者中,同时伴有髂内淋巴结转移者3例,髂外淋巴结转移者4例.x2检验显示,宫旁和(或)闭孔淋巴结转移与盆腔其他区域淋巴结的转移呈正相关.共检出转移前哨淋巴结81枚,其中宫旁和闭孔前哨淋巴结转移64枚,髂内外前哨淋巴结转移17枚.宫旁和(或)闭孔淋巴结转移组与非转移组比较,患者的1和3年生存率差异无统计学意义,但非转移组患者的5年生存率(93.2%)明显高于转移组(65.1%).结论 宫颈癌患者的盆腔淋巴结转移分为三站是可行的,第1站为宫旁和闭孔区域淋巴结,第2站为髂内和髂外淋巴结,第3站为髂总和腹股沟深淋巴结,可根据转移情况合理地制定患者的治疗方案.     

Adjuvant irradiation for cervical lymph node metastases from melanoma

BACKGROUND: The risk of regional disease recurrence after surgery alone for lymph node metastases from melanoma is well documented. The role of adjuvant irradiation remains controversial. METHODS: The medical records of 160 patients with cervical lymph node metastases from melanoma were reviewed retrospectively. Of these, 148 (93%) presented with clinically palpable lymph node metastases. All patients underwent surgery and radiation to a median dose of 30 grays (Gy) at 6 Gy per fraction delivered twice weekly. Surgical resection was either a selective neck dissection in 90 patients or local excision of the lymph node metastasis in 35 patients. Only 35 patients underwent a radical, modified radical, or functional neck dissection. RESULTS: At a median follow-up of 78 months, the actuarial local, regional, and locoregional control rates at 10 years were 94%, 94%, and 91%, respectively. Univariate analysis of patient, tumor, and treatment characteristics failed to reveal any association with the subsequent rate of local or regional control. The actuarial disease-specific (DSS), disease-free, and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) rates at 10 years were 48%, 42%, and 43%, respectively. Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that patients with four or more involved lymph nodes had a significantly worse DSS and DMFS. Nine patients developed a treatment-related complication requiring medical management, resulting in a 5-year actuarial complication-free survival rate of 90%. CONCLUSIONS: Adjuvant radiotherapy resulted in a 10-year regional control rate of 94%. Complications for all patients were rare and manageable when they did occur. The authors recommend adjuvant irradiation for patients with extracapsular extension, lymph nodes measuring 3 cm in size or larger, the involvement of multiple lymph nodes, recurrent disease, or any patient having undergone a selective therapeutic neck dissection.