Sentinel Lymph Node Mapping in Endometrial Cancer: A Comprehensive Review

Area of Science:

• Gynecologic Oncology
• Surgical Oncology
• Pathology

Background:

• Endometrial cancer (EC) incidence is rising, making accurate staging critical.
• Lymph node status significantly impacts prognosis and treatment decisions in EC.
• Conventional lymphadenectomy (LAD) for high-risk EC has limitations, including high complication rates.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review the progress and controversies surrounding sentinel lymph node mapping (SLNM) in endometrial cancer treatment.
• To evaluate the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of SLNM in early-stage high-risk EC patients.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on sentinel lymph node mapping (SLNM) in endometrial cancer (EC).
• Analysis of detection rates, sensitivity, negative predictive value, and survival outcomes.
• Examination of complications associated with SLNM versus conventional lymphadenectomy.

Main Results:

• SLNM demonstrates high detection rates, sensitivity, and negative predictive value in early-stage, lower-risk EC.
• SLNM does not compromise progression-free survival (PFS) or overall survival (OS) and has low complication rates.
• Evidence suggests SLNM may also be feasible, effective, and safe in early-stage high-risk EC patients, though controversies remain.

Conclusions:

• Sentinel lymph node mapping (SLNM) is a promising technique for staging endometrial cancer (EC).
• SLNM offers a potentially safer alternative to systematic lymphadenectomy (LAD) with comparable oncologic outcomes.
• Further research is warranted to solidify the role of SLNM in high-risk EC patients.