Sentinel node biopsy for oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

OBJECTIVES: The aims were to assess the technical feasibility of sentinel node biopsy (SNB), to validate SNB against elective neck dissection, and to report the results of the clinical application of the SNB concept for early oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective consecutive cohort analysis. METHODS: Between 2000 and 2006, a total of 79 patients were included. Lymphatic mapping consisted of preoperative lymphoscintigraphy and intraoperative use of a hand-held gammaprobe. Twenty-eight patients were assessed for feasibility and validation; the SNB was done in context with an elective neck dissection. Fifty-one patients were evaluated in an observational trial; elective neck dissection was performed only in case of positive SNB. RESULTS: Validation revealed a sentinel node detection rate by lymphoscintigraphy of 93%, with the gammaprobe of 100%. The negative predictive value of a negative SNB was 100%. During the observational trial 40% of the patients were upstaged as a result of a positive SNB. Intraoperative frozen section analysis showed a negative predictive value of 83%. Two patients (6%) with negative SNB experienced a neck recurrence, the negative predictive value of SNB was therefore 94%. Patients with positive SNB were treated successfully with elective neck dissection. CONCLUSIONS: SNB is technically feasible and reproducible with a high sentinel node detection rate. Validation against elective neck dissection revealed a negative predictive value of 100%. Application of the SNB concept in clinical practice was very successful. The recurrence rate within the neck was very low and the morbidity and cost of an elective neck dissection could be spared to 60% of the patients.     

Sentinel lymph node biopsy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Sentinel lymph node biopsy is a minimally invasive method to stage the regional lymphatics that has revolutionized the management of patients with intermediate-thickness cutaneous melanoma. Head and neck surgeons have been encouraged by the accuracy of sentinel lymph node biopsy in cutaneous melanoma and have applied the technique to patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The objectives of the study were 1) to study the feasibility and accuracy of sentinel lymph node biopsy as a method to stage the regional lymphatics in HNSCC and 2) to determine whether there are qualitative differences between the cutaneous and mucosal lymphatics that would affect the technique used in HNSCC. STUDY DESIGN: Two methods of investigation were employed: a prospective laboratory study using a feline model for sentinel lymph node biopsy and a retrospective review of patients who received lymphoscintigraphy before neck dissection and intraoperative identification of the sentinel lymph node. METHODS: Lymphoscintigraphy and a gamma probe were used in four felines to study the kinetics of technetium-labeled sulfa colloid (Tc-SC) in the mucosal lymphatics. In the second part of the feline study, eight subjects were studied intraoperatively. Tc-SC and isosulfan blue dye were used to study the injection technique for the mucosal lymphatics and to determine the time course of the dye and Tc-SC to the sentinel lymph node. In Part II of the present study, a retrospective review of 33 patients with HNSCC was conducted. Twenty patients (stage N0) whose treatment included elective neck dissection were studied with preoperative lymphoscintigraphy and underwent intraoperative identification of the sentinel lymph node to determine the accuracy and feasibility of sentinel lymph node biopsy. Eight patients with palpable neck disease and five patients with recurrent or second primary disease whose previous treatment included neck dissection were also studied with lymphoscintigraphy before neck dissection. RESULTS: In the feline study, both Tc-SC and isosulfan blue dye traversed the lymphatics rapidly, appearing in the sentinel lymph node in less than 5 minutes. Modification of the injection technique used for cutaneous melanoma was required to depict the sentinel lymph node of the base of tongue. In the human study, the sentinel lymph node was accurately identified in 19 of 20 (95%) N0 patients. On average, 2.9 sentinel lymph nodes (range, 1-5) were identified in 2.2 (range, 1-4) levels of the neck. Sentinel lymph nodes were bilateral in 4 of 19 patients. When the sentinel lymph node was identified, it accurately predicted the pathological nodal status of the regional lymphatics. Three of 20 patients had cervical metastases, and the sentinel lymph node was identified in 2 of 3 patients with pathologic nodes (pN+). Focal areas of radiotracer uptake were identified in seven of eight patients with palpable disease. These areas corresponded to the level with palpable disease in four patients. The lymphatics delineated by lymphoscintigraphy in the five patients with previous neck dissection were outside the levels that had been dissected. Lymphoscintigraphy depicted collateral patterns of lymphatic drainage. CONCLUSIONS: Sentinel lymph node biopsy is technically feasible and is a promising, minimally invasive method for staging the regional lymphatics in patients with stage N0 HNSCC. Lymphoscintigraphy alone may determine the levels that require treatment in patients with disrupted or previously operated cervical lymphatics.     

Sentinel lymph node mapping using SPECT–CT fusion imaging in patients with oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma

Lymphoscintigraphic planar imaging is commonly performed to locate the sentinel lymph nodes (SLN) preoperatively. The images are, however, obscure lacking anatomical information and only rough topographical orientation of the SLNs is possible. Image fusion of Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) and Computed Tomography (CT) has been suggested to be an anatomically more precise method for preoperative SLN mapping. In the present study, preoperative lymphoscintigraphic SLN mapping was performed by using a hybrid gamma-camera with CT system (SPECT–CT) in addition to conventional planar lymphoscintigraphy in 15 consecutive patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the oral cavity. The planar images were compared to fused SPECT and CT images. SPECT–CT fusion images showed only one SLN that was not detected in planar images. Two SLNs suspected in planar images could be excluded by SPECT–CT. The location of the SLNs could be determined more accurately by SPECT–CT. SPECT–CT fusion imaging was found feasible for preoperative SLN identification in patients with oral cavity SCC. It enables more accurate localisation of the SLNs, but it rarely reveals SLNs, that are not detected on planar images.     

The impact of sentinel lymph node biopsy on the quality of life in patients with oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma

IntroductionSentinel lymph node biopsy is a proven method for staging the neck in patients with early oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma because it results in less comorbidity than the traditional method of selective neck dissection, with the same oncological results. However, the real effect of that method on the quality of life of such patients remains unknown.ObjectiveThe present study aimed to evaluate the quality of life of patients with oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma T1/T2N0 submitted to sentinel lymph node biopsy compared to those that received selective neck dissection.MethodsCross-sectional study including 24 patients, after a 36 month follow-up, 15 of them submitted to the sentinel lymph node biopsy and 9 to selective neck dissection. All patients answered the University of Washington quality of life questionnaire.ResultsThe evaluation of the questionnaires showed a late worsening of the domains appearance (p = 0.035) and chewing (p = 0.041), as well as a decrease of about 10% of general quality of life (p = 0.025) in patients undergoing selective neck dissection ??in comparison to those undergoing sentinel lymph node biopsy.ConclusionPatients with early-stage oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma undergoing sentinel lymph node biopsy presented better late results of general quality of life, mainly regarding appearance and chewing, when compared to patients submitted to selective neck dissection.     

Histopathological features of occult metastasis detected by sentinel lymph node biopsy in oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: Sentinel lymph node biopsy has been introduced for head and neck cancer with promising results. Research in breast cancer has revealed different histopathological features of occult lymph node metastasis with possibly different clinical and prognostic implications. The aim of the study was to evaluate the histopathological features of occult metastasis detected by sentinel lymph node in oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective. METHODS: According to Hermanek (5), occult metastasis was differentiated into isolated tumor cells and infiltration of lymph node parenchyma smaller than 2 mm in diameter (micrometastasis) and larger than 2 mm in diameter (metastasis). RESULTS: Occult metastases were found in 6 of 19 (32%) sentinel lymph nodes. Three patients showed micrometastasis with a mean size of 1.4 mm (range, 1.2-1.5 mm), the first with three separate micrometastases within the same sentinel lymph node, the second with an additional cluster of isolated tumor cells within the same sentinel lymph node, and the third with an additional micrometastasis in one lymph node of the elective neck dissection. Two patients had macrometastasis (3.4 and 8 mm), both with multiple metastases in the elective neck dissection. One patient had two clusters of isolated tumor cells in the sentinel lymph node and an additional cluster of isolated tumor cells in one lymph node of the elective neck dissection. CONCLUSIONS: Occult metastasis can be subdivided histopathologically in isolated tumor cells, micrometastasis, and macrometastasis. We present the first study describing a great variety of these subtypes in sentinel lymph nodes from head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Because the independent prognostic factor and clinical relevance of these subtypes is still unclear, we emphasize the importance of reporting these findings uniformly and according to well-established criteria.     

前哨淋巴结检测在头颈部鳞状细胞癌中的应用

目的　评价前哨淋巴结 (sentinellymphnode ,SLN)检测在N0头颈鳞状细胞癌 (简称鳞癌 )中的可行性以及SLN对微小转移灶的诊断价值。方法　分析研究中国医学科学院肿瘤医院头颈外科 2 0 0 1年 8月～ 2 0 0 2年 2月收治的 10例头颈鳞癌患者 ,为未经治疗临床诊断为N0的患者。所有患者术前均在肿瘤周围的黏膜下注射锝标记的右旋糖酐胶体 (technetium 99m preparedwithdextrancolloid ,99mTc DX) ,约 30min后行单光子发射计算机断层显像术扫描 ,在相应的颈部皮肤上标记显像“热点” ;术中翻开皮瓣后用手提探测仪探测术野 ,以高于背景计数 4倍以上确定为SLN。将确定的SLN送病理学检查 ,并借助淋巴结连续切片和免疫组化法检测微小转移灶。结果　术前淋巴结显像及术中探测仪探测所识别的SLN行病理学检查 ,10例N0患者有 3例发现隐性转移 ,其隐性转移率为 30 % (3/ 10 ) ,SLN的阳性率为 2 2 .7% (5 / 2 2 ) ,非SLN的阳性率为 0 .4 % (1/ 2 4 7)。经病理证实为SLN阴性的患者的非SLN无阳性发现。结论　头颈鳞癌颈部N0的SLN检测对发现临床隐性转移灶是可行的。SLN检测技术可缩小手术范围 ,减少手术的创伤及并发症 ,该技术的进一步推广还需更多的研究。     

Lymphoscintigraphy and radioguided sentinel node biopsy in oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma: same day protocol

The routine use of a sentinel node biopsy (SNB) protocol in oral cavity squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) has been challenged on the basis of the elevated number of sentinel nodes (SNs) detected (>2.5) and on the multiply neck level involvement reported in several studies. These data limit the practical application of the protocol, because in such cases, it seems easier and safer to perform a selective neck dissection. The aim of our study is to perform radioguided surgery 1–3 h after lymphoscintigraphy (same day protocol) to detect the lymph nodes closest to the tumour site. In our study, 12 patients affected by cT1-2 N0 SCC of the oral cavity were submitted to a same day protocol of a lymphoscintigraphic examination (1–3 h before surgery) and a radioguided SNB. We used a hand-held gamma probe and performed an elective neck dissection on all patients. The SNs were found in all cases with 83% localised in the ipsilateral neck in only levels I–II. The mean number of SN detected was 2.1, with a mean pathological size of 13.8 mm measured on pathological specimen. Metastases were found in 5/12 cases (41.6%), on levels I, II and III and all were identified by step serial sectioning and routine H&E staining. This study confirms the accuracy of SNB in predicting the presence of occult metastases. This protocol is designed to detect SNs, which are almost always on neck level I and II, thereby limiting the number of nodes examined and the extension of the surgical approach.     

Lymph node ratio as a prognostic factor for survival in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Objective

The purpose of this study is to validate the concept of lymph node ratio (LNR) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Usefulness of sentinel node navigation surgery in the management of early tongue cancer

Objective

To determine the validity of sentinel node navigation surgery (SNNS) in early stage tongue cancer, the occurrence rate of postoperative cervical metastasis (POCM) after lead plate technique (LPT) introduction and survival rates in patients who underwent SNNS were analyzed.

Methods

SNNS was performed in 29 patients (stage I: 14, stage II: 15) from 2000 to 2007. Tc-labeled phytate was prepared as a radiotracer a day before SNNS. The sentinel node (SN) was then examined pathologically during surgery. For cases where metastasis in SN was positive, neck dissection was performed. Occurrence of POCM after LPT introduction was compared with that before LPT introduction. ‘Wait and see’ policy was performed in 52 patients (stage I: 27, stage II: 25) from 1987 to 1999 as a historical control. The observation period of SNNS cases and ‘wait and see’ policy cases ranged from 10 months to 165 months (median: 91 months) and from 7 months to 268 months (median: 87 months), respectively.

Results

Six of the 29 SNNS cases (21%) were proven metastatic SNs. Before LPT introduction, POCM occurred in 2 of the 15 cases, while we had no occurrences after LPT introduction. The 5-year overall survival rate of the 29 patients who underwent SNNS and the 52 patients with ‘wait and see’ policy were 96% and 84%, respectively, and there was statistical significance in the two groups (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

As the survival rate of the patients with the SNNS tended to be better than that with the ‘wait and see’ policy in our cases, SNNS could avoid unnecessary neck dissection. SNNS provides useful information regarding decision-making for neck dissection in early stage tongue cancer.     

Sentinel lymph node biopsy in cutaneous melanoma of the head and neck using the indocyanine green SPY Elite system

Purpose

Lymph node status is the single most important prognostic factor for patients with early-stage cutaneous melanoma. Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) has become the standard of care for intermediate depth melanomas. Modern SLNB implementation includes technetium-99 lymphoscintigraphy combined with local administration of a vital blue dye. However, sentinel lymph nodes may fail to localize in some cases and false-negative rates range from 0 to 34%. Here we demonstrate the feasibility of a new sentinel lymph node biopsy technique using indocyanine green (ICG) and the SPY Elite near-infrared imaging system.

临床颈淋巴结转移阴性喉及喉咽癌前哨淋巴结检测

目的前瞻性研究喉及喉咽鳞癌患者前哨淋巴结(sentinel Iymph node,SLN)的存在、位置、数量、阳性率及制定颈部治疗计划。方法30例术前未曾经过任何治疗的喉及喉咽鳞癌患者,临床颈部触诊及影像学检查均属于NO,均在原发灶周围黏膜下注射2毫升亚甲蓝液,在20-30分钟后于颈部检查染色淋巴结。其中5例在手术前日于相同部位注射1毫居里99m锝-右旋糖苷(1mci 99m Tc-Dx),分别于注射后30分、1小时和2小时应用发射型计算机断层扫描连续静态显像观察。6例在手术当中对SLN进行了冰冻活检。30例的前哨淋巴结、颈清标本及原发病灶,均行常规组织病理学检查。结果30例注射亚甲蓝患者中28例(占93.3%)发现染色的SLN。注射99m锝-右旋糖苷的5例患者,则100%在发射型计算机断层扫描连续静态显像中观察到SLN的核素图像。共查得前哨淋巴结49枚,平均每例1.6枚。其大多数位于Ⅱ或Ⅲ区,其中有5例共有6枚SLN被确定有转移,占全部病例的16.7%(5/30),5例中有3例在颈部其他部位同时发现转移淋巴结。结论喉及喉咽鳞癌SLN检出是一个有前途的预测方法,对于制定颈部治疗方针有指导意义,但尚需进一步研究和完善。     

Perifacial lymph node metastasis in the submandibular triangle of patients with oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma with clinically node-positive neck

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this retrospective chart review were to investigate the rate of metastasis to the perifacial lymph node, which was defined as the nodal pads that lie anterior or posterior to the anterior facial vein on top of the facial artery in the submandibular triangle, and to identify its risk factors in patients with oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OOSCC) with clinically node-positive neck. METHODS: Beginning in July 1999, we routinely removed the perifacial lymph node pads of the submandibular triangle (level Ib) from the main therapeutic comprehensive neck dissection (level I-V) specimen for evaluation of metastatic rate to this nodal group in patients with OOSCC with clinically node-positive neck. This study is a retrospective analysis of patients undergoing perifacial node sampling from July 1999 to March 2006. A total of 66 patients (17 patients with oral cavity cancer and 49 with oropharyngeal cancer) underwent perifacial lymph node dissections. Of these, three (two with oral cavity tumors and one with an oropharynx tumor) had clinically positive node in level I. RESULTS: The incidence rate of metastasis to the perifacial lymph node was 35% in oral cavity carcinoma (six of 17) and 8% in oropharynx carcinoma (four of 49). In addition, in patients without clinically positive level I node, the occult metastasis rate of the perifacial node was 27% in oral cavity carcinoma (four of 15) and 6% in oropharynx carcinoma (three of 48). Clinical or pathologic nodal staging above the N2b advanced lesion had a statistically significant association with perifacial lymph node metastasis (P < .05). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that these nodal pads should be removed thoroughly for the treatment of node-positive neck in patients with oral cavity carcinoma. In contrast, however, complete removal may be unnecessary in comprehensive neck dissection of patients with oropharyngeal carcinoma with clinically node-positive neck, especially below nodal stage N2a.     

Role of the head and neck surgeon in sentinel lymph node biopsy for cutaneous head and neck melanoma

OBJECTIVE: To determine the reliability of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in head and neck cutaneous melanomas to accurately stage nodal basins, describe techniques for safe SLNB in the neck and parotid regions, and discuss treatments. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review with follow-up mean of 11 months. METHODS: The charts of 80 patients treated for head and neck cutaneous malignancies from January 2001 through June 2003 were reviewed for presentation, treatment, and outcome. RESULTS: All patients received lymphoscintigraphy and SLNB for melanoma with Breslow thickness greater than 1 mm. Accurate preoperative lymphoscintigraphy and blue dye injection along with facial nerve monitoring when indicated correlated with safe SLNB. Eleven (14%) patients required completion surgery after positive SLNB and underwent evaluation for adjuvant therapies. There were three cases with complications: two postoperative hematomas and one seroma. CONCLUSIONS: Safe and reliable SLNB depends on the knowledge of the anatomy in the head and neck region, reliability of preoperative lymph node mapping with lymphoscintigraphy, and possible additions of blue dye injection and facial nerve monitoring. Complete surgical treatment of positive SLNB cases along with adjuvant therapies potentially improves control of these cutaneous malignancies with manageable morbidity.     

颈淋巴结转移临床处理概念上的变化─—分区性颈清扫术

分区性颈清扫术（selectiveneckdissection,SND）是根据头颈部特定部位肿瘤颈淋巴结转移规律而设定的非全颈性清扫,手术范围缩小而不影响根治性。有利于保留患者外观和术后功能。SND目前主要应用于临床颈淋巴结阴性（cN0）和部分阳性（cN1）的上呼吸消化道鳞癌患者,有多个淋巴结转移或术后病理提示淋巴结有包膜外侵犯的患者应配合应用放疗。不同术式的分区性颈清扫适应于不同原发灶的转移。治疗结果显示SND治疗后的效果及手术区域颈部淋巴结复发率与改良根治性颈清扫相似。