New technique in gynecologic cancer treatment : Sentinel lymphnode biopsy @drviralpatel

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07/13/23

Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is a surgical procedure used to assess the spread of cancer to the lymph nodes in certain types of cancers, including gynecological cancers. The procedure involves identifying and removing the sentinel lymph nodes, which are the first lymph nodes that cancer cells are likely to spread to from the primary tumor.

In gynecological cancers, such as cervical, endometrial, and vulvar cancers, SLNB is commonly performed to determine if the cancer has spread beyond the primary tumor site. The sentinel lymph nodes are identified by injecting a dye (Indocyanine green) or radioactive substance near the tumor, which then travels through the lymphatic system to the lymph nodes. The surgeon can locate and remove the sentinel nodes based on the presence of the dye or radioactivity. Sentinel node mapping can be done in robotic surgery (robot assisted surgery) or laparoscopic surgery.

The removed sentinel lymph nodes are sent to a pathologist who examines them under a microscope to check for the presence of cancer cells. If cancer cells are found, it suggests that the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes, and additional lymph nodes in the region may also be affected. In such cases, a more extensive lymph node dissection may be performed to remove additional lymph nodes for accurate staging and further treatment planning. In Uterine cancer (endometrial cancer), there is no need for frozen section evaluation of Sentinel node intraoperatively.

SLNB offers several advantages over routine lymph node dissection, such as reducing the risk of complications associated with extensive lymph node removal like lymphedema, lymphocele etc. It can help determine the extent of lymph node involvement more precisely, allowing for tailored treatment plans for each individual. SLNB can also spare patients from unnecessary lymph node removal if the sentinel nodes are found to be free of cancer cells

@drviralpatel
#endometrialcancer
#gynecologiccancer
#roboticsurgeon
#vulvalcancer
#cervicalcancer
#sentinelnode