腹腔镜下胃癌前哨淋巴结标示的临床应用及意义

目的：探讨腹腔镜下胃癌前哨淋巴结（SLN）检测的可行性及SLN活检预测胃周淋巴结转移状况的准确性,评价SLN活检在指导胃癌手术治疗中的应用价值。方法：2010年3—11月诊断明确的126例胃癌,在腹腔镜胃癌切除术中向肿瘤边缘正常胃壁浆膜下肌层、黏膜下层注射亚甲蓝标示SLN,腔镜下识别和切取蓝染淋巴结活检。以术后所有切除的胃周淋巴结常规病理检查结果为诊断金标准,观察SLN活检对预测胃周淋巴结有无肿瘤转移的准确性。结果：116例成功检测出SLN,检出率92．1％（116／126）。62例有淋巴结转移,其中前哨淋巴结与非前哨淋巴结（nSLN）均有转移47例,仅前哨淋巴结有转移10例,仅非前哨淋巴结有转移5例。前哨淋巴结预测胃周淋巴结转移的敏感性为91．9％（57／62）,准确率为94．0％（109／116）,假阴性率为8．1％（5／62）。结论：腹腔镜下胃癌SLN检测可行。通过SLN,术中能准确预测胃癌淋巴结转移状况,淋巴结转移阴性的胃癌患者,有望免除常规淋巴清扫。     

胃癌前哨淋巴结的临床研究胃癌前哨淋巴结的临床研究

目的：探讨胃癌前哨淋巴结（SLN）对预测各期胃癌淋巴结转移情况的意义。方法：使用美蓝-抗胃癌单克隆抗体MAb 3H11，对120例胃癌术中及术后前哨淋巴结定位和活检。结果：119例找到胃癌SLN为转移淋巴结，其中8例为唯一转移部位；55例SLN为非转移淋巴结，其中5例非前哨淋巴结存在转移。SLN预测胃周淋巴结转移的敏感性为92．8％，假阴性率为7．3％，准确率为95．8％。T1期敏感性100％，准确率100％；T2期敏感性96．3％，准确率97．9％；T3期敏感性为89．7％，准确率92．3％，假阴性率10．3％。结论：胃癌SLN定位及活检技术能较准确反映早期胃癌的淋巴结转移状况。     

前哨淋巴结活检在CN0分化型甲状腺癌的应用体会

目的 研究前哨淋巴结活检（SLNb）在CN0分化型甲状腺癌（DTC）治疗中的临床应用及其对颈淋巴转移的预测价值。方法 运用美蓝染色法对疑为CN0PTC患者行前哨淋巴结活检,对术中冰冻证实为乳头状腺癌（PTC）的42例患者常规行改良颈廓清术（MRND）,观察对照SLN术中冰冻与术后颈清淋巴结病理的淋巴转移情况。结果 42例患者中有40例检出前哨淋巴结,SLN检出率为95％,术中冰冻SLN发现16例淋巴结转移,并得到术后病理证实,有2例SLN假阴性,淋巴结隐匿转移率为45％。Ⅳ区SLN阳性率明显高于Ⅲ、Ⅳ区,与MRND术后总体淋巴结转移情况相符,淋巴结转移与肿块大小有一定关系。结论 美蓝染色法进行前哨淋巴结活检能够预测CNOPTC颈淋巴转移情况,对CNODTC患者常规行选择性淋巴清扫具有重要的治疗意义。【摘要】目的研究前哨淋巴结活检（SLNb）在cNn分化型甲状腺癌（DTC）治疗中的临床应用及其对颈淋巴转移的预测价值。方法运用美蓝染色法对疑为CN。PTC患者行前哨淋巴结活检,对术中冰冻证实为乳头状腺癌（PTC）的42例患者常规行改良颈廓清术（MRND）,观察对照SLN术中冰冻与术后颈清淋巴结病理的淋巴转移情况。结果42例患者中有40例检出前哨淋巴结,SLN检出率为95％,术中冰冻SLN发现16例淋巴结转移,并得到术后病理证实,有2例SLN假阴性,淋巴结隐匿转移率为45％。IV区SLN阳性率明显高于Ⅲ、Ⅳ区,与MRND术后总体淋巴结转移情况相符,淋巴结转移与肿块大小有一定关系。结论美蓝染色法进行前哨淋巴结活检能够预测CNOPTC颈淋巴转移情况,对CNODTC患者常规行选择性淋巴清扫具有重要的治疗意义。     

120例胃癌患者前哨淋巴结的临床研究

前哨淋巴结(sentinellymphnode,SLN)是指首先引流肿瘤淋巴液并最先发生转移的淋巴结[1]。我们对120例胃癌患者使用美蓝-抗胃癌单克隆抗体MAb3H11术中及术后行前哨淋巴结定位和活检,以确定前哨淋巴结预测区域淋巴结转移的准确性及SLN的转移规律。1.资料和方法:2001年6月至2003年12月,120例胃癌患者均经胃镜及病理证实。年龄平均57.5(33～71)岁。肿瘤直径平均4.6(2.0～8.5)cm。肿瘤分期:T1期19例;T2期48例,T3期53例。属晚期、多中心病灶、远处转移、有复发及经辅助治疗的患者,不在本研究之内。实验药品:抗人胃癌单克隆抗体(MAb3H11)由北…     

胃癌前哨淋巴结术中定位和病理学检查

目的探讨肿瘤前哨淋巴结(SLN)活检技术在胃癌诊疗中应用的可行性。方法将38例胃癌患者,按肿瘤浸润深度分组,用术中注射美蓝的方法定位前哨淋巴结,用细胞角蛋白(CK-19)免疫组织化学染色判断淋巴结转移情况。结果38例患者全部检出SLN(100%)。出现淋巴结转移的有18例,其中SLN出现转移的有15例。SLN预测淋巴结癌转移的敏感性、假阴性率和准确率分别为83.3%、16.7%和92.1%;胃癌T1组无SLN假阴性者,准确率100%;T2组有1例假阴性者,准确率94.1%;T3组假阴性2例,准确率6/8例。结论采用肿瘤周围注射亚甲蓝的方法术中定位淋巴结为可行的SLN术中定位方法。     

胃癌前哨淋巴结活检技术及其微转移检测应用研究

目的 探讨前哨淋巴结活检技术在胃癌中应用及流式细胞术对胃癌前哨淋巴结微转移检测的可行性。方法 南通大学附属医院普外科2006年6月至2007年6月对60例胃癌病人术中应用亚甲蓝定位活检前哨淋巴结（SLN）,术后行HE染色及流式细胞术检测。结果 60例中56例找到SLN,检出率为93.3%,SLN组织学状态能比较准确预测胃癌区域淋巴结转移状况, 在T1、T2期中更为明显。HE发现49枚/24例SLN转移,流式细胞术发现71枚/37例SLN转移,即22枚/13例SLN存在微转移。结论 亚甲蓝行前哨淋巴结活检（SLNB）在胃癌中是可行的,特别在T1、T2期中更具有重要意义,流式细胞术结合SLNB检测胃癌的淋巴结微转移具有较高的检出率, 具有临床可行性。     

内镜黏膜下剥离术联合腹腔镜前哨淋巴结活检术治疗早期胃癌26例分析

目的 探讨内镜黏膜下剥离术（ESD）联合腹腔镜前哨淋巴结活检术治疗早期胃癌的可行性和临床疗效。方法 回顾性分析2009年3月至2013年8月期间在江南大学附属医院行ESD联合腹腔镜前哨淋巴结活检术治疗的26例早期胃癌患者的临床资料。对这些患者先行腹腔镜前哨淋巴结活检术,如冰冻病理学检查结果提示有淋巴结转移,则行腹腔镜下胃癌D2根治术;如提示无淋巴结转移,则行ESD。结果 本组26例患者共检出SLN 95枚,（3.7±1.4）枚/例,（1～6枚/例）;有2例患者因SLN阳性而行腹腔镜辅助远端胃癌根治术,24例患者行ESD。26例患者术后随访时间5～46个月,中位随访时间22个月。ESD术后无病生存率（DFS）为91.7% （22/24）,局部复发率为4.2% （1/24）;总体DFS为96.2% （25/26）。结论 ESD治疗早期胃癌是安全、可行的,联合腹腔镜胃癌前哨淋巴结活检术更符合肿瘤根治原则。     

术中淋巴显影和前哨淋巴结概念在乳腺癌手术中的研究

目的 探讨术中淋巴显影和前哨淋巴结活检在乳腺癌手术中应用的可行性。方法 选取患有乳腺癌的150个病人，手术前取5ml专利蓝（patent blue）在皮肤消毒前注射入肿瘤周围的乳腺实质内，术后解剖标本组织寻找蓝染的淋巴管，循淋巴管解剖蓝染的淋巴结即前哨淋巴结和未被染色的淋巴结，蓝染的淋巴结和无染色的淋巴结常规HE染色病理学检查。阴性的蓝染淋巴结行常规的免疫组化。结果 144例病人淋巴显影并找到蓝染的前哨淋巴结。淋巴显影率为96％。所有淋巴结行病理学HE染色。淋巴显影的144位病人确诊80例有淋巴结转移，有淋巴结转移的80例病人中有76例的前哨淋巴结确诊有转移，只有4个病人的前哨淋巴结为阴性，假阴性率为5％。结论 在乳腺癌手术中使用专利蓝染料显示淋巴是可行的。前哨淋巴结能预测剩余淋巴结的实际状态。淋巴显影和前哨淋巴结的概念对乳腺癌手术有指导的意义。     

99例周围型小肺癌的TNM分期分析及临床意义探讨

目的 通过对周围型小肺癌的TNM分期进行分析,以提高临床医师对恶性肺小结节的重视,并探讨小肺癌系统性淋巴结清扫的必要性.方法 回顾性分析2005年1月至2013年6月99例行肺叶切除术＋系统性淋巴结清扫术的周围型小肺癌患者的临床资料,肿瘤及所有淋巴结均获得病理证实,然后进行TNM分期,分析各组淋巴结的转移情况,肿瘤T分期、淋巴结大小与淋巴结转移的关系.结果 病理T分期：T1a期71例（71.72%）,T2a期28例（28.28%）.22例患者有淋巴结转移（22.22%）,其中N1 12例（12.12%）、N2 10例（10.10%）.TNM分期：Ia期58例（58.59%）,Ib期18例（18.18%）,≥Ⅱa期者23例（23.23%）.共清扫胸内淋巴结1226枚,平均每例12.38枚,126枚淋巴结存在癌转移（10.28%）.T2a期淋巴结转移率明显高于T1a期（P＜0.05）.淋巴结直径0.5～1.0cm的转移率高于直径＜0.5cm者,但差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）.结论 周围型小肺癌并不完全是早期肺癌,约1/4患者为≥Ⅱ期的中、晚期肺癌.对小肺癌患者进行系统性淋巴结清除术非常必要,不能以术中未触及肿大淋巴结而排除淋巴结的清扫.     

乳腺癌前哨淋巴结活检

目的 评价前哨淋巴结活检预测腋窝淋巴结有无肿瘤转移的准确性及其临床意义。方法 用^99m锝－硫胶体作为示踪剂,用γ探测仪导向,对70例临床分期为T1－2N0M0的乳腺癌患者进行前哨淋巴结活检,所有的患者均同时行腋窝淋巴结清扫,HE染色阴性的前哨淋巴结再切片,用CK8、CK19、KP－1行免疫组织化学染色。结果 70例患者中成功发现前哨淋巴结的有67例,发现率为95.7%（67／70）。前哨淋巴结的数量为1－5枚,平均每例1.6枚。非前哨淋巴结5－20枚,平均例12.3枚。67例前哨淋巴结活检成功的患者中,29例患者（43.3%）有腋窝淋巴结转移,其中前哨淋巴结有转移者24例（35.8%）,前哨淋巴结未发现转移而非前哨淋巴结有转移者5例（7.5%）。7例患者（10.4%）只有有淋巴结为阳性淋巴结,前哨淋巴结活检的准确性为100％。43例患者的65枚HE染色阴性一的前哨淋巴结,CK8及CK19免疫组织化学染色均为阴性。结论 前哨淋巴结检能较准确地预测腋窝淋巴结转移情况,对原发灶为T1的乳腺癌,前哨淋巴结活检的准确性为100％。同一层面切片行免疫组织化学染色并不能提高淋巴结微转移癌的发现率。     

Application of sentinel node biopsy to gastric cancer surgery

BACKGROUND: Sentinel node (SN) biopsy has been tried in the management of a variety of cancers with the hope that it would eliminate many unnecessary lymph node dissections, resulting in less morbidity. This important technique, however, has not been tried in gastric cancer surgery. The feasibility of SN biopsy and its accuracy in predicting the lymph node status in patients with gastric cancer were examined in the current study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: SN biopsy was performed in patients with T1 (n = 44) or T2 (n = 30) gastric cancers (ie, immediately after laparotomy, indocyanine green was injected around the primary tumor, and the green-stained nodes [SNs: 2.6 +/- 1.7 nodes per patient] were removed). Then, gastrectomy with extended lymphadenectomy was performed. The unstained nodes (non-SNs: 39 +/- 18 nodes per patient) were obtained from the resected specimens. Both SNs and non-SNs were subjected to histologic examination with hematoxylin-eosin. RESULTS: SNs could be identified in 73 of 74 patients (success rate, 99%). Of these 73 patients, 10 had lymph node metastases in SNs or non-SNs, or both; 6 in both SNs and non-SNs; 3 in SNs alone; and 1 in non-SNs alone. The sensitivity of the SN status in the diagnosis of the lymph node status of the patient was 90% (9/10) and specificity was 100% (63/63). Sensitivity was 100% in the T1 group (n = 44) and 88% in the T2 group (n = 29). CONCLUSIONS: SN biopsy using indocyanine green can be performed with a high success rate, and the SN status can predict the lymph node status with a high degree of accuracy, especially in patients with T1 gastric cancer.     

Radio-guided sentinel node detection for gastric cancer

BACKGROUND: Radio-guided detection of sentinel nodes (SNs) has been used to predict regional metastases in patients with malignant melanoma and breast cancer. However, the validity of the SN hypothesis is still controversial for gastrointestinal cancers including gastric cancer. The aim of this study was to test the feasibility and accuracy of radio-guided mapping of SNs for gastric cancer. METHODS: Some 145 consecutive patients with gastric cancer diagnosed as T1 or T2 and evaluated clinically as N0 were enrolled. Endoscopic injection of technetium-99m-radiolabelled tin colloid was performed before operation and radioactive SNs were identified with a gamma probe. Standard radical gastrectomy with lymphadenectomy was performed in all patients and all resected nodes were evaluated by routine histopathological examination. RESULTS: Using radio-guided methods, SNs were detected in 138 (95.2 per cent) of 145 patients. The SN was positive in 22 of 24 patients with lymph node metastasis. The incidence of metastasis in the SNs (7.8 per cent) was significantly higher than that in the non-SNs (0.3 per cent) (P < 0.01). The diagnostic accuracy according to SN status was 98.6 per cent (136 of 138). CONCLUSION: Radio-guided SN mapping is an accurate diagnostic procedure for detecting lymph node metastasis in patients with early-stage gastric cancer.     

Sentinel node mapping during laparoscopic distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer

Background The goal of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of sentinel node (SN) mapping with endoscopic submucosal blue dye injection during laparoscopic distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Methods Thirty-four patients affected by gastric adenocarcinoma without gross clinical serosal invasion and distant metastasis were prospectively enrolled. At the start of the surgery, 2 ml of 2% patent blue was endoscopically injected into the submucosal layer at four points around the site of the primary tumor. Sentinel nodes were defined as nodes that were stained by the blue dye within 5–10 min after the dye injection. After identification and removal of sentinel lymph nodes, each patient underwent laparoscopic distal gastrectomy with D1 (n = 2) or D2 (n = 32) lymphadenectomy. Results Of the 34 patients, 14 had positive nodules (41%). SNs were detectable as blue nodes in 27 (80%) of 34 patients. The mean number of dissected lymph nodes per patient was 31 ± 10 (range = 16–64) and the mean number of blue nodes was 1.5 (range = 1–4). Only five (sensitivity 36%) of 14 N(+) patients had at least one metastatic lymph node among the SNs identified. In these 14 patients the sentinel node was traced in 12 cases. Sentinel node status diagnosed the lymph node status with 74% accuracy. In early gastric cancer (n = 18), three patients had lymph node metastasis. These early gastric cancer patients with nodal metastases had at least one metastatic lymph node among the SNs identified (sensitivity 100%). Conclusions Blue dye SN mapping during laparoscopic distal gastrectomy seems to be a feasible and accurate diagnostic tool for detecting lymph node metastasis in patients with early-stage gastric cancer in which the accuracy of the method was 100%. However, in more advanced gastric cancer the results are not satisfactory. Validation of this method requires further studies on technical issues, including selection of the tracers.     

Usefulness of sentinel lymph node biopsy for the detection of lymph node micrometastasis in early lung cancer

The purposes of this study were to examine the usefulness of the biopsy of the sentinel lymph nodes (SNs) for the accurate and effective detection of lymph node micrometastasis in early lung cancer and to clarify the spread of lymph node micrometastasis. One hundred and thirty-three c-stage IA non-small cell lung cancer patients in whom SNs could be identified by radioisotope (RI) method were enrolled. All dissected lymph nodes were stained with cytokeratin AE1/AE3 for the examination of micrometastasis. A total of 1375 lymph nodes including 220 SNs were dissected from the 133 patients. From the 220 SNs, 35 (15.9%) were found to be positive for metastasis. Of the other 185 SNs negative for metastasis, 19 (8.6%) were positive for micrometastasis. When patients were limited to those with pN0, there were no lymph nodes positive for micrometastasis other than SNs. In pN1-2 patients, micrometastasis to non-SNs were observed in 2.3-13.2%. In patients with pN0, micrometastasis was limited to SNs, and the results of the examination of SNs for micrometastasis accurately represented those of the examination of all lymph nodes. With advancement of the stage, micrometastasis was not limited to SNs and showed an irregular distribution.     

单光子发射型计算机断层扫描-同机CT融合技术联合纳米炭混悬液注射法在直肠癌前哨淋巴结示踪中的应用

目的 探讨单光子发射型计算机断层扫描-同机CT融合技术(SPECT-CT)联合纳米炭混悬液注射法对直肠癌前哨淋巴结(SLN)进行示踪的临床价值.方法 2010年1-12月间共12例临床分期为CT1～2N0N0直肠癌患者纳入本研究,术前1 d通过肠镜于直肠癌周围黏膜下注射1 ml纳米炭混悬注射液与1 ml 99m锝标记的硫胶体(99mTc-Sc)混合而成的示踪剂,注射后1、3、5 h分别行SPECT-CT扫描,明确SLN数量并分析SLN区域.术后将术前SPECT-CT显示的SLN区域中所有淋巴结进行放射性测量,取放射性计数值最高的1枚或几枚淋巴结确定为SLN(数量已由术前SPECT-CT确定).所有的SLN区域淋巴结行CK免疫组织化学(免疫组化)检测.结果 SLN示踪成功率为91.7%(11/12),SLN数目为1～3枚/例.SLN CK免疫组化检测阴性的10例患者其他区域淋巴结亦为阴性;1例SLN CK免疫组化检测阳性的患者其他区域淋巴结亦为阳性(4/20);前哨淋巴结对区域淋巴结转移情况的预测准确率达100%.结论 SPECT-CT联合纳米炭混悬注射液可有效明确早期直肠癌患者SLN的解剖位置及数目,准确预测区域淋巴结转移情况,值得进一步研究.

Abstract：

Objective To evaluate the accuracy of sentinel lymph node mapping (SLM) in patients with rectal cancer by single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT-CT) lymphoscintigraphy and carbon nanoparticles suspension injection. Methods Twelve patients with clinical T1-2N0M0 rectal cancer were selected and locally injected with technetium-99msulfur-colloid and carbon nanoparticles suspension by endoscope one day before surgery, followed by SPECT-CT scanning 1, 3 and 5 hours later.Radioactive isotope (RI) uptake of each sentinel node(SN) basin with location preoperatively determined by SPECT-CT was postoperatively calculated using gamma probe. Nodes with the highest RI uptake, the number of which was also pre-determined by SPECT-CT, was defined as SNs. Immunohistochemical cytokeratin staining was performed for all the SNs and non-SNs. Results The rate of sentinel node detection was 91.7% (11/12) with at least one SN (1-3) per patient. Ten cases showed metastasis-negative in SNs as well as all the resected regional nodes by immunohistochemical cytokeratin staining. Only one patient had positive nodes in both SN and non-SNs. The accuracy of SLM was 100% .Conclusion SPECT-CT lymphoscintigraphy and carbon nanoparticles suspension injection can effectively detect the anatomic location and number of sentinel nodes, and improve the accuracy of SLM for rectal cancer.     

单光子发射型计算机断层扫描-同机CT融合技术联合纳米炭混悬液注射法在直肠癌前哨淋巴结示踪中的应用

目的探讨单光子发射型计算机断层扫描-同机CT融合技术（SPECT—CT）联合纳米炭混悬液注射法对直肠癌前哨淋巴结（SLN）进行示踪的临床价值。方法2010年1-12月间共12例临床分期为cT1-2N0M0直肠癌患者纳入本研究,术前1d通过肠镜于直肠癌周围黏膜下注射1ml纳米炭混悬注射液与1ml^99m锝标记的硫胶体（^99m—Sc）混合而成的示踪剂,注射后1、3、5h分别行SPECT—CT扫描。明确SLN数量并分析SLN区域。术后将术前SPECT—CT显示的SLN区域中所有淋巴结进行放射性测量．取放射性计数值最高的1枚或几枚淋巴结确定为SLN（数量已由术前SPECT—cT确定）。所有的SLN区域淋巴结行CK免疫组织化学（免疫组化）检测。结果SLN示踪成功率为91．7％（11／12）,SLN数目为1-3枚／例。SLNCK免疫组化检测阴性的10例患者其他区域淋巴结亦为阴性;1例SLNCK免疫组化检测阳性的患者其他区域淋巴结亦为阳性（4／20）：前哨淋巴结对区域淋巴结转移情况的预测准确率达100％。结论SPECT—CT联合纳米炭混悬注射液可有效明确早期直肠癌患者SLN的解剖位置及数目,准确预测区域淋巴结转移情况．值得进一步研究。     

Infiltration of antitumor immunocytes into the sentinel node in gastric cancer

The sentinel node (SN) is regarded as the first drainage lymph node, and tumor cells are considered likely to directly affect the SN. However, few reports have identified differences between SNs and non-SNs in cancer patients. Subjects in this study included 27 patients with gastric cancer who underwent curative operation and intraoperative detection of SNs by radioisotope methods. The mean number of SNs was 3.2 (range 1 to 5). Degree of infiltration of natural killer cells, dendritic cells, MIB-1 labeling index, and CD3-ξ expression of lymphocytes in SNs and non-SNs were examined by means of immunohistochemical methods. Degree of infiltration was compared according to depth of invasion and between SNs and non-SNs. Patients with early-stage cancer displayed a greater degree of infiltration of MIB-1 labeling index and CD3-ξ expression than patients with pT2 or pT3 lesions (P<0.05). The MIB-1 labeling index in SNs was significantly lower than that in non-SNs (P<0.05). However, no significant difference was observed in infiltration of natural killer cells, dendritic cells, or CD3-ξ. Morphologic changes of dendritic cells in SNs were not definite. Our results suggest that SNs in gastric cancer might not be suppressed, unlike in breast cancer and melanoma. SN paralysis may depend on tumor- and organ-specific characteristics or exogenous stimulation from the gastric mucosa. Studies in progress will help to identify immunologic paralysis of the SN in various types of cancer. Attention must therefore be paid to organ specificity.     

Interim Results of Sentinel Node Biopsy during Laparoscopic Gastrectomy: Possible Role in Function-Preserving Surgery for Early Cancer

Introduction Intraoperative detection of sentinel nodes (SNs) has been used clinically to predict regional lymph node (LN) metastasis in patients with breast cancer and malignant melanoma. Intraoperative lymphatic mapping and SN biopsy can potentially be combined with minimally invasive surgery. However, few reports have demonstrated the validity of SN biopsy during laparoscopic gastrectomy. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility and accuracy of laparoscopic lymphatic mapping in predicting LN status in patients with gastric cancer. Methods A total of 35 patients with gastric cancer diagnosed preoperatively as T1, N0 were enrolled. Endoscopic injection of technetium-99m-radiolabeled tin colloid was completed 16 hours before surgery, and radioactive SNs were identified with a gamma probe intraoperatively. Isosulfan blue dye was injected endoscopically during the operation. Laparoscopy-assisted gastrectomy with LN dissection was performed. All resected LNs were evaluated by routine pathology examination. Results SNs were detected in 33 (94.3%) of 35 patients. The mean number of SNs was 3.9, and the diagnostic accuracy according to SN status was 97.0% (32/33), as one patient with a false-negative result was observed. The patient with the false-negative specimen was finally diagnosed as having advanced gastric cancer with invasion into the proper muscular layer and severe lymphatic vessel invasion, causing destruction of normal lymphatic flow by the tumor. Conclusions Radio-guided SN mapping during laparoscopic gastrectomy is an accurate diagnostic tool for detecting lymph node metastasis in patients with early-stage gastric cancer. Validation of this method requires further studies on technical issues, including indications, tracers, methods of lymph node retrieval, and diagnostic modalities of metastasis.     

Individualized surgery for early gastric cancer guided by sentinel node biopsy

BACKGROUND: We have reported that lymphatic mapping using indocyanine green (ICG) solution can be a good tool for identifying sentinel nodes (SNs) in gastric cancer. The purpose of this study was to evaluate individualized operations for gastric cancer guided by SN biopsy and to explore the possibility for more limited operative procedures using SN technology. METHODS: SNs were identified by using (99m)Tc-labeled tin colloid and ICG solution in patients with clinically T1N0M0 gastric cancer. When pathologic examination by frozen section revealed metastasis in SNs, we performed a standard D2 gastrectomy. Less extensive lymphadenectomy preserving vagus and pylorus was applied when the SN biopsy was negative. Then, postoperative pathology was analyzed. RESULTS: Among the 80 enrolled patients, 7 patients with apparent node metastasis or T2-3 neoplasms and 10 patients with positive metastasis in SNs underwent D2 gastrectomy. Sixty-one patients with negative metastasis in SNs underwent a less extensive, function-preserving gastrectomy. The false-negative rate in sentinel node biopsy was 23% (3/13) for frozen section and 7% (1/14) for postoperative pathology. In 3 patients with a false-negative result, metastasis was found in lymph nodes located at the station where the tracers were distributed. Of the 7 patients in whom metastasis was detected in 2 or more SNs by frozen section, postoperative pathology revealed that 3 patients (43%) belonged to the N2 category. CONCLUSIONS: SN biopsy is a useful tool for individualizing the operative procedure for early gastric cancer. Dissecting the lymph node stations only where the tracers are distributed may be a promising procedure for patients with no metastatic SNs.