Objective: To study the value of sentinel lymph nodes (SLN) in prediction of the pelvic lymph nodes status and to determine the significance of SLN detection in pelvic lymph nodes dissection in patients with early stage cervical carcinoma.
Methods: From November 2002 to August 2003, 23 patients with early stage cervical carcinoma planned to undergo radical hysterectomy and extensive pelvic lymph nodes dissection received an intracervical injection of technetium-labeled sulfur colloid as well as blue dye to identify and perform resection of SLNs. The SLNs were pathologically compared with non-SLNs with frozen section, paraffin section, and anti-cytokeratin immunohistochemical staining.
Results: Out of 23 patients, SLNs were detected in 19 patients. A total of 59 SLNs were identified and the mean was 3 per patient. The detection rate of SLN was 83%. Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the SLN biopsy were 83%, 100% and 95%, respectively.
Conclusion: SLNs detection can predict the pelvic lymph nodes status in early stage cervical carcinoma, but the feasibility and safety of this technique to substitute conventional surgical modality should be evaluated by large series of prospective studies.