Sentinel lymph node mapping for endometrial cancer improves the detection of metastatic disease to regional lymph nodes

Objective

To compare the incidence of metastatic cancer cells in sentinel lymph nodes (SLN) vs. non-sentinel nodes in patients who had lymphatic mapping for endometrial cancer and to determine the contribution of metastases detected on ultrastaging to the overall nodal metastasis rate.

Methods

All patients who underwent lymphatic mapping for endometrial cancer were reviewed. Cervical injection of blue dye was used in all cases. Sentinel nodes were examined by routine hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), and if negative, by standardized institutional pathology protocol that included additional sections and immunohistochemistry (IHC).

Results

Between 09/2005 and 03/2010, 266 patients with endometrial cancer underwent lymphatic mapping. Sentinel node identification was successful in 223 (84%) cases. Positive nodes were diagnosed in 32/266 (12%) patients. Of those, 8/266 patients (3%) had the metastasis detected only by additional section or IHC as part of SLN ultrastaging. Excluding the 8 cases with positive SLN on ultrastaging only, 24/801 (2.99%) SLN and 30/2698 (1.11%) non-SLN were positive for metastatic disease (p = 0.0003).

Conclusion

Using a cervical injection for mapping, metastatic cells from endometrial cancer are three times as likely to be detected in SLN than in the non-sentinel nodes. This finding strongly supports the concept of lymphatic mapping in endometrial cancer to fine tune the nodal dissection topography. By adding SLN mapping to our current surgical staging procedures we may increase the likelihood of detecting metastatic cancer cells in regional lymph nodes. An additional benefit of incorporating pathologic ultrastaging of SLN is the detection of micrometastasis, which may be the only evidence of extrauterine spread.     

Pelvic lymph node dissection in early ovarian cancer: success of retrieval of lymph nodes by individual lymph node groups in respect to pelvic laterality

Objective

To evaluate the differences in number of harvested retroperitoneal pelvic lymph nodes by specific lymph node regions in respect to pelvic laterality.

Study design

We extracted cases of early ovarian cancer (EOC) with lymphadenectomy from the medical database which were treated at our institution in the period between 1994 and 2008. Recommendations of FIGO and EGSOC (European Guidelines for Staging in Ovarian Cancer) for staging of ovarian malignancies were followed. Stage of the disease was established on the basis of intra-abdominal condition which we found during surgery and histopathologic status of retroperitoneal lymph nodes (LN). For each case and every LN group, we subtracted the number of dissected lymph nodes on the left side from the number of dissected lymph nodes on the right side of the pelvis. The result would represent the difference between number of removed LN on each side of the pelvis for specific LN group. A negative difference means that a greater number of LN was extracted from the left side and a positive difference that the greater number of LN was extracted from the right side of the pelvis. We used Wilcoxon signed-rank test for statistical analysis of differences.

Results

48 cases with EOC underwent lymphadenectomy. In three cases, metastatic retroperitoneal pelvic lymph nodes were found. There were 79.1%, 50.0%, 45.8%, 93.8%, 52.1%, 60.4% and 70.8% of cases with left-right difference in number of removed lymph nodes in external iliac region, common iliac region, presacralic, above obturator nerve, under obturator nerve, lateral from the external ilac vessels and lateral from the common iliac vessels nodal group, respectively. The mean differences between left and right groups were in the range from 2 to 4 lymph nodes. There was no identifiable bias toward either side of the pelvis for any of the analyzed lymph node groups.

Conclusion

There is a right and left prevalence of retrieved LN by individual LN regions in the pelvis that could be influenced by asymmetry in right-left pelvic LN distribution. However, we did not find any evidence that the observed imbalance is, on average, directed toward either side of the pelvis.     

Endometrial cancer--revisiting the importance of pelvic and para aortic lymph nodes

In 1998, FIGO (International Federation of Gynecologists and Obstetricians) required a change from clinical to surgical staging in early endometrial cancer. This staging requirement raised numerous controversies around the importance of determining nodal status and its impact on outcomes. A diversity of opinions exists as to the actual benefits and toxicities associated with surgical staging which includes lymph node sampling, ranging from those whose opinion is that staging is required for all patients even when the a priori risk of nodal involvement is extremely low through to those who consider that staging is unnecessary in any patient. While knowledge of the presence or absence of extra uterine sites of disease may change treatment approaches and direct different treatment interventions in some patients, the impact of those changes on survival is much less clear. This paper examines recommendations for surgical staging in various subgroups of patients with clinically early endometrial cancer and the impact on survival and toxicity of the various approaches and the subsequent use of adjuvant irradiation and/or chemotherapy.     

Laparoscopic detection of sentinel lymph nodes followed by lymph node dissection in patients with early stage cervical cancer

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of sentinel node detection through laparoscopy in patients with early cervical cancer. Furthermore, the results of laparoscopic pelvic lymph node dissection were studied, validated by subsequent laparotomy. METHODS: Twenty-five patients with early stage cervical cancer who planned to undergo a radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection received an intracervical injection of technetium-99m colloidal albumin as well as blue dye. With a laparoscopic gamma probe and with visual detection of blue nodes, the sentinel nodes were identified and separately removed via laparoscopy. If frozen sections of the sentinel nodes were negative, a laparoscopic pelvic lymph node dissection, followed by radical hysterectomy via laparotomy, was performed. If the sentinel nodes showed malignant cells on frozen section, only a laparoscopic lymph node dissection was performed. RESULTS: One or more sentinel nodes could be detected via laparoscopy in 25/25 patients (100%). A sentinel node was found bilaterally in 22/25 patients (88%). Histological positive nodes were detected in 10/25 patients (40%). One patient (11%) had two false negative sentinel nodes in the obturator fossa, whereas a positive lymph node was found in the parametrium removed together with the primary tumor. In seven patients (28%), the planned laparotomy and radical hysterectomy were abandoned because of a positive sentinel node. Bulky lymph nodes were removed through laparotomy in one patient, and in six patients only laparoscopic lymph node dissection and transposition of the ovaries were performed. These patients were treated with chemoradiation. In two patients, a micrometastasis in the sentinel node was demonstrated after surgery. Ninety-two percent of all lymph nodes was retrieved via laparoscopy, confirmed by laparotomy. Detection and removal of the sentinel nodes took 55 +/- 17 min. Together with the complete pelvic lymph node dissection, the procedure lasted 200 +/- 53 min. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic removal of sentinel nodes in cervical cancer is a feasible technique. If radical hysterectomy is aborted in the case of positive lymph nodes, sentinel node detection via laparoscopy, followed by laparoscopic lymph node dissection, prevents potentially harmful and unnecessary surgery.     

Extraperitoneal lymph node dissection in cervical cancer patients

AIM: Extraperitoneal lymph node dissection (EPLD) has been performed in 14 patients with invasive cervical cancer. The technique of EPLD has been described and presented as well as its feasibility, especially as staging procedure in locally advanced stages of cervical cancer.     

Lymphorhoea--complication after lymph node dissection in cervical cancer

The lymphorrhea is a problem that we fase in the early postoperative period in patients undergoino lymph node dissection (LND) for treatment of cervical cancer (CC). MATERIAL AND METHOD: In a retrospective study of 2-year period (January 2001-December 2003). We covered totaly 129 cases with invasive CC. All patients in the study have undergone surgical remove of the uterus and adnexes but in a different volume, an extended hysterectomy was performed in 125 women, in 3 patients was carried out only supravaginal hysterectomy due to failure to remove the cervix, without direct life-threatening intraoperative complications, only in one case was performet LHT with adnexes because of severe co-morbidities of patients. We don't have cases in which LND was carried out in whatever type it is--a diagnostic or therapeutic. All women undergone LND in a different volume 123 cases pelvic LND/PLND/ and/or paraaortic LND/PALND/, selective LND in 3 patients, only PAND in 2 cases and biopsy of pelvic lymph node--only one case. AIM AND GOALS: Our aim is to present the role of lymphorrhea in the observed cases according the type of LND applied to treat invesiv CC. We set the following goals--To present the frequency of lymphorrhea in the early postoperative period in our patients treated for invasive CC, and the presence or absence of a link between the level of LND and the observed lymphorrhea. RESULTS: On the basis of the above data we can make the following conclusions: Lymphorrhea was recorded in 24 or 18.60% of the cases of our study. It is a complication that directly depends on the type of the performed LND. It is the second most common complication--24 women the undercoing PLND--11 (45.8%) and PLND+PALND--13 (54.2%).     

Learning curve analysis of laparoscopic radical hysterectomy and lymph node dissection in early cervical cancer

Objective

We aimed to evaluate the learning curve for laparoscopic radical hysterectomy and lymph node dissection (LRHND) in uterine cervical cancer and to compare the surgicopathologic outcomes of cases treated in the first half of the curve with those treated in the second half of the curve.

Study design

The medical records of LRHND patients between August 2004 and April 2011 were reviewed retrospectively. The patients were divided into two groups of the first 35 cases (phase I) and the second 35 cases (phase II). All operations were performed by the same surgeon. Demographic data and surgicopathologic parameters were analyzed. The learning curve was evaluated using the cumulative summation (CUSUM) technique.

Results

No difference was found in demographics and histologic type between the two groups. The mean operating time (307.7 ± 85.8 min) of phase I was significantly longer than phase II (266.3 ± 58.8 min) (P = 0.021). The number of complications in phase I patients (N = 9) was significantly higher than that (N = 1) of phase II patients (P = 0.013). There were no significant differences between the two groups with respect to lymph node yield and likelihood of identifying positive lymph nodes, resection margins, parametrium, stromal invasion, and lymphovascular space invasion. Disease-free survival did not differ between the two groups (P = 0.142). The learning period for LRHND to reach a turning point was calculated to be 40 cases.

Conclusions

An extended learning period can be required for LRHND, during which survival and pathologic outcome of LRHND may not be adversely affected.     

The role of laparoscopic hysterectomy and lymph node dissection in treatment of endometrial cancer.

BACKGROUND: The development of new diagnostic and surgical methods has brought a differentiated approach to surgery of endometrial cancer. The aim of this study was to verify the peri-and postoperative differences between laparoscopic and open procedure and prepare protocol for a second phase follow-up multicentric study. METHODS: The study includes 133 women with indications for surgery of endometrial cancer. A prospective multicentric study was undertaken at four centres in the Czech Republic. We evaluated differences in the peri-and postoperative outcomes. Sixty-eight patients treated laparoscopically were compared with 65 patients treated by an open procedure of hysterectomy and lymphadenectomy. RESULTS: Three patients with conversion were withdrawn from the study and another 65 patients (97%) from the laparoscopic group successfully completed the procedures. Laparoscopic and abdominal hysterectomy with lymphadenectomy were performed based on the grade of the tumor and depth of myometrial invasion. Out of both groups, 75 patients underwent pelvic lymphadenectomy and 21 women underwent para-aortic lymph node dissection or sampling. Eleven patients had metastases in the pelvic or para-aortic nodes (11.7% versus 4.7% in the open procedure group). Deep myoinvasion over 50% was more frequently present in the group of abdominally-treated women. The rate of major complications (18 versus 14 cases) was higher in the laparoscopic group, but more wound infections were seen in the open procedure group. CONCLUSION: The study illustrates that the laparoscopic approach to surgery is feasible and it also may be considered for endometrial cancer which typically occurs in at risk and obese women. Recovery time is reduced by avoiding an abdominal incision. Laparoscopic surgery was performed successfully in 65 women and in 8 cases (11.7%) malignant spread outside to the regional lymph nodes was found. However, the selection of patients for laparoscopy should be done considering optimal benefit and safety.     

Learning curve analysis of laparoscopic radical hysterectomy and lymph node dissection in early cervical cancer

Objective

Locally advanced bulky cervical cancer (LABCC) is characterized by poor local control. The objective of this study was to identify the clinicopathologic variables associated with one-year central-only recurrence, which will serve as criteria for adjuvant hysterectomy after radiation (AHR) in patients with LABCC.

Study design

Between January 2000 and August 2007, we retrospectively evaluated outcomes in 225 patients with LABCC who were initially treated with radiation or chemoradiation.

Results

Among the 225 patients with LABCC, there were 41 recurrences within one year after treatment (8 central-only and 33 pelvis and/or distant site recurrences). Age, stage, and treatment type were not associated with the one-year central-only recurrences, but tumor size ≥8 cm had a statistically significant association based on multivariate analysis (OR, 5.39; 95% CI, 1.15–25.31; p = 0.03). The combination of non-squamous cell (non-SCC) type and tumor size ≥8 cm had a significantly higher rate of recurrence within one year (OR, 43.0; 95% CI, 4.78–386.68; p < 0.01).

Conclusions

Of patients with LABCC, those with non-SCC tumors ≥8 cm in size were at high risk for early central-only recurrence after cisplatin-based chemoradiation, and represent the subset of patients for whom AHR is beneficial.     

Seroma after axillary lymph node dissection in breast cancer

Since the advent of sentinel node biopsy, which made it possible to reduce the morbidity of axillary surgery, axillary lymph node dissection has been constituting the treatment of reference in certain cases of breast cancer. One of the most frequent complications in the immediate postoperative period is the lymphocele or seroma, the frequency of which is independent of the axillary technique of surgery. Following an analysis of the literature, some risk factors were isolated such as a high body mass index, the high volume of the first three days drainage and arterial hypertension. Some techniques seem to show a benefit in the reduction of the lymphocele: sentinel node biopsy, padding of the axilla and the axillary drainage. The majority of other techniques such as the use of fibrin sealant, hemolymphostatic sponges, various techniques of axillary dissection, external axillary compression, differed mobilization from the upper limb, axillary dissection by lipo-aspiration and endoscopic axillary dissection, have too contradictory results at the present time to be recommended in clinical practice. No consensus is clearly established to decrease the incidence and the volume of the seroma after axillary dissection in breast cancer. Today, two techniques can be nevertheless distinguished: sentinel node biopsy and padding of the axilla.     

子宫内膜癌淋巴结切除意义及指征

子宫内膜癌采用手术病理分期,然而是否对所有子宫内膜癌患者都行全面分期手术(全子宫切除术+双附件切除术+双侧盆腔淋巴结及腹主动脉旁淋巴结切除)争议广泛,尤其是对于早期子宫内膜癌患者淋巴结切除的价值值得探讨。文章回顾子宫内膜癌淋巴结切除的最新研究进展,进一步讨论淋巴结切除的意义及指征。     

Sentinel node identification and the ability to detect metastatic tumor to inguinal lymph nodes in squamous cell cancer of the vulva

OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study was to identify one or more inguinal sentinel nodes in patients with primary squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva and to determine the ability of the sentinel node to predict metastasis to the inguinal lymphatic basin. METHODS: Techniques employing technetium-99m (Tc-99m) sulfur colloid and isosulfan blue dye were utilized to identify sentinel nodes in the inguinal lymphatic beds. Technetium-99m sulfur colloid was injected intradermally at the tumor margins 90-180 min preoperatively followed by a similar injection of isosulfan blue dye 5-10 min before the groin dissection. A handheld collimated gamma counter was employed to identify Tc-99m-labeled sentinel nodes. Lymphatic tracts that had taken up blue dye and their corresponding sentinel node were also identified and retrieved. A completion inguinal dissection was then performed. Each sentinel node was labeled as hot and blue, hot and nonblue, or cold and blue. The sentinel nodes were subjected to pathologic examination with step sections and nonsentinel nodes were evaluated in the standard fashion. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients with a median age of 79 were entered onto protocol and a total of 31 inguinal node dissections were performed. A sentinel node was identified in 31/31 (100%) groin dissections with the use of Tc-99m. Isosulfan blue dye identified a sentinel node in 19/31 (61%) groin dissections. Surgical staging revealed 7 patients with stage I disease, 5 with stage II disease, 5 with stage III disease, and 4 with stage IV disease. Lymph nodes in 9 groin dissections were found to have metastatic disease, and in 4 of these dissections, the sentinel node was the only positive node. Lymph nodes in 22 groin dissections had no evidence of metastasis. No false-negative sentinel lymph nodes were obtained (sentinel node negative and a nonsentinel node positive). CONCLUSION: Tc-99m sulfur colloid is superior to isosulfan blue dye in the detection of sentinel nodes in inguinal dissections of patients with vulvar cancer. A sentinel node dissection utilizing Tc-99m alone can identify a sentinel node in all inguinal dissections. Pathologic examination with step sections has shown the sentinel node to be an accurate predictor of metastatic disease to the inguinal nodal chain.     

Total laparoscopic hysterectomy with and without lymph node dissection for uterine neoplasia

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To compare surgical outcomes of patients with uterine neoplasia undergoing total laparoscopic hysterectomy only (TLH) with those having TLH and lymph node dissection (TLHND) from September 5, 1996 through January 13, 2007. DESIGN: Retrospective chart analysis (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). SETTING: Three tertiary surgical centers in California. PATIENTS: 112 patients with uterine neoplasia operated on from 1996 through 2006. INTERVENTIONS: All patients underwent total laparoscopic hysterectomy and bilateral salpingoophorectomy; however, 30 patients with FIGO stage IC or higher, lymph channel involvement, or grade 3 disease also underwent pelvic and aortic node dissection. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Of 807 patients having TLH, 112 had a uterine neoplasia: twenty-one hyperplasia, 86 carcinoma, 2 ovarian and endometrial carcinoma, and 3 low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma; 82 had TLH and adnexectomy; and 30 had TLHND. For both groups, the mean age was 60 (NS), Quatlet index was 31.2 (NS), parity was 1.6 (NS), and the mean blood loss was 148 mL (NS). The node dissection added 56 minutes to TLH (132 vs 188 minutes, p <.001) and yielded a mean of 25 nodes. Patients in both groups spent a median of 1 day in the hospital (NS). There were 7 complications (6.3%) in the series: among the patients in the TLH group, 1 conversion to laparotomy for bleeding from an ovarian artery, 1 vaginal rupture during coitus at 6 weeks, and 1 nonsurgical episode of diverticulitis. There were 4 patients in the TLHLND group with complications: 1 ureteral injury, 1 trocar-site hernia, 1 vaginal laceration, and 1 pelvic abscess. CONCLUSIONS: Node dissection added 56 minutes and entailed no additional blood loss, transfusion, or length of hospital stay, as well as minimal risk of complication. Total laparoscopic hysterectomy with indicated lymph node dissections for endometrial disease is reasonably well tolerated and warrants prospective randomized study to document its role in the therapy of endometrial carcinoma.     

Paraaortal lymph node dissection in cervical cancer of the uterus

The purpose of this study was to determine role of paraaortic lymphadenectomy in patients with cervical cancer. In review literature the authors reports was to show role of paraaortic lymphadenectomy in surgical staging and the most important role in treatment plan. The results confirm the diagnostic and prognostic value of paraaortic lymphadenectomy in patients with cervical cancer and adjuvant treatment after primary surgical procedure. The authors affirm that lymph nodes metastases represent the most reliable markers of high risk patients. The position about therapeutic role of paraaortic lymphadenectomy remains controversial.