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Sentinel lymph node biopsy in head and neck cancer
Ivan H El-Sayed1, Mark I Singer, Frank Civantos
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of California Comprehensive Cancer Center, 400 Parnassus Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA. ielsayed@ohns.ucsf.edu
Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America
|January 15, 2005
Summary
Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is a minimally invasive method to detect micrometastases in head and neck cancer patients. This technique, validated for melanoma, offers prognostic information and guides further treatment decisions.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Surgical Pathology
Background:
- Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is a minimally invasive technique for detecting micrometastases.
- It is validated for breast cancer and cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM).
- SLNB is under investigation for other solid tumors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the history, rationale, science, and current status of SLNB in head and neck cancers.
- To emphasize the role of SLNB in managing head and neck melanoma.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature and clinical data on SLNB.
- Focus on its application in head and neck oncology, particularly melanoma.
Main Results:
- SLNB is routinely used for head and neck melanoma management.
- It is investigational for other head and neck cancers.
- SLNB provides crucial prognostic information for CMM patients.
Conclusions:
- SLNB is a valuable tool for staging and treatment guidance in head and neck melanoma.
- Further investigation is warranted for its use in other head and neck malignancies.