Sentinel lymph node biopsy in oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma without clinically evident metastasis

BACKGROUND: The clinically N0 neck in patients with oral SCC is commonly treated by neck dissection because the existence of metastases cannot be excluded. To determine whether unnecessary treatment could be avoided, we evaluated the feasibility of sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy. METHODS: Fifteen previously untreated patients with T1 or T2 oral SCC without clinically or radiologically detectable metastasis were included. A blue dye and gamma probe were used to identify SLNs. SLNs were stained with cytokeratins. All nodes in neck dissection specimens were stained using H and E. RESULTS: SLNs were identified in 14 patients by lymphoscintigraphy and in all patients when probe and dye were combined. Four neck dissection specimens contained four metastatic lymph nodes. Three of the four lymph nodes were SLN. One SLN was found to be metastatic after immunostaining. However, although there was one blue sentinel node in one neck, a metastatic non-SLN was present. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that SLN biopsy is a promising tool for use in patients with oral SCC. However, further studies are necessary.