D C Damin1, M A Rosito, G Schwartsmann. 1. Division of Coloproctology, Department of Surgery, Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil. damin@terra.com.br
Abstract
AIMS: To review the studies investigating the efficacy of the sentinel lymph node (SLN) procedure in anal canal carcinoma and to evaluate its potential role in guiding a more selective approach for patients with the malignancy. METHODS: A literature search in the PubMed database was preformed using the key words "sentinel lymph node" and "anal cancer". All indexed original articles (except case reports) on the SLN procedure in cancer of the anal canal were analysed. RESULTS: There are five published series to date. Eighty-four patients were studied. Rates of SLN detection and removal ranged from 66 to 100% of patients investigated. Nodal metastases were found in 7.1 to 42% of cases. No serious complications were reported. CONCLUSIONS: The technique has proven to be safe and effective in sampling inguinal SLNs. The detection of occult metastases in clinically unsuspicious nodes represents an important improvement in the process of staging these patients, which has not been possible with any other method of diagnosis. Although SLN procedure is still in an early phase of investigation in this type of cancer, it emerges as an objective method to guide individual therapeutic decisions.
AIMS: To review the studies investigating the efficacy of the sentinel lymph node (SLN) procedure in anal canal carcinoma and to evaluate its potential role in guiding a more selective approach for patients with the malignancy. METHODS: A literature search in the PubMed database was preformed using the key words "sentinel lymph node" and "anal cancer". All indexed original articles (except case reports) on the SLN procedure in cancer of the anal canal were analysed. RESULTS: There are five published series to date. Eighty-four patients were studied. Rates of SLN detection and removal ranged from 66 to 100% of patients investigated. Nodal metastases were found in 7.1 to 42% of cases. No serious complications were reported. CONCLUSIONS: The technique has proven to be safe and effective in sampling inguinal SLNs. The detection of occult metastases in clinically unsuspicious nodes represents an important improvement in the process of staging these patients, which has not been possible with any other method of diagnosis. Although SLN procedure is still in an early phase of investigation in this type of cancer, it emerges as an objective method to guide individual therapeutic decisions.
Authors: Felix Aigner; Friedrich Conrad; Andreas Widschwendter; Robert Zangerle; Bettina Zelger; Alfred Haidenberger; Sebastian Roka; Kurt Heim; Reinhard Höpfl; Martin Klimpfinger; Yves Marcus Rigler; Hugo Bonatti; Johann Pfeifer; Andrea Maier; Reinhard Kirnbauer; Andreas Salat Journal: Wien Klin Wochenschr Date: 2008 Impact factor: 1.704
Authors: Stephen P Povoski; Ryan L Neff; Cathy M Mojzisik; David M O'Malley; George H Hinkle; Nathan C Hall; Douglas A Murrey; Michael V Knopp; Edward W Martin Journal: World J Surg Oncol Date: 2009-01-27 Impact factor: 2.754
Authors: D M Mistrangelo; M Bellò; P Cassoni; E Milanesi; P Racca; F Munoz; G Fora; N Rondi; N Gilbo; R Senetta; U Ricardi; M Morino Journal: Br J Cancer Date: 2013-01-17 Impact factor: 7.640