Current Role and Benefits of Sentinel Lymph Node Mapping in Endometrial Cancer ()
ABSTRACT
Endometrial cancer (EC) is one of the three major malignant tumors of the female reproductive system in developed countries. In recent years, the incidence of EC ranks first in gynecological malignancy and the mainstay of treatment is Surgery. Although EC has a high prevalence, its several features associated with management are still unclear. Endometrial cancer lymph node status is the most important predictor of survival and also guides postoperative treatment planning but in gynecologic oncology, lymphadenectomy, as a part of initial surgical management remains controversial. The current introduction of sentinel lymph node mapping in EC patients represents a midway between the execution and omission of node dissection. Sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping has emerged as an alternative staging strategy hence, the role of SLN mapping is currently being evaluated prospectively in several centers. The objective of this review is to provide an update of the emerging role of sentinel node mapping in EC. In this review, we discussed how several different techniques, type of tracers utilized and injection sites has been described and used for lymphatic mapping in EC impacting on sentinel lymph node detection rates. In addition, we also discussed another evolving field in EC staging i.e. interpretation of pathologic ultra staging of SLN, which can identify low volume metastasis for which the clinical significance and ideal management remain uncertain. Future perspective regarding EC management is also discussed in this review.
Share and Cite:
Sugandha, S. , Shen, Y. , Prayes, B. and Mukunda, S. (2020) Current Role and Benefits of Sentinel Lymph Node Mapping in Endometrial Cancer.
Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
10, 478-492. doi:
10.4236/ojog.2020.1040043.