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01-03-2020 | Vulvar Cancer | Gynecologic Oncology

Sentinel lymph node mapping with fluorescent and radioactive tracers in vulvar cancer patients

Authors: Sonia Prader, Andreas du Bois, Philipp Harter, Elisabeth Breit, Stephanie Schneider, Thais Baert, Florian Heitz, Alexander Traut, Sarah Ehmann, Nina Pauly, Sebastian Heikaus, Detlef Moka, Beyhan Ataseven

Published in: Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics | Issue 3/2020

Abstract

Purpose

Application of radioactive tracers for sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in vulvar cancer has been established, however, the use of radioisotopes is expensive and requires complex logistics. This exploratory study evaluated the feasibility of near-infrared fluorescence-based SLNB in comparison to the gold standard using radioactive guidance.

Methods

At Evangelische Kliniken Essen-Mitte (Essen, Germany) between 02/2015 and 04/2019, 33 patients with squamous cell vulvar cancer and unifocal tumors (32 midline, 1 lateral) smaller than 4 cm underwent SLNB as part of their routine primary surgical therapy. Radiolabeled nanocolloid technetium 99 (^99mTc) was injected preoperatively and indocyanine green (ICG) intraoperatively. Demographic and clinical data were retrieved from patients’ records, and descriptive statistics were applied. The detection rate of the ICG fluorescence technique was compared with the standard radioactive approach.

Results

In patients with midline tumors, bilateral SLNB was attempted. SLNB was feasible in 61/64 (95.3%) groins with ^99mTc and in 56/64 (87.5%) with ICG. In total, 125 SLNs were excised; all SLNs were radioactive and 117 (93.6%) also fluorescent. In 8 patients with BMI > 30 kg/m², SLNB was successful in 14/15 groins (93.3%) with ^99mTc and 13/15 groins (86.7%) with ICG. Upon final histology, infiltrated nodes were present in 9/64 (14.1%) groins and 10/125 SLNs; one positive SLN was not detected with ICG.

Conclusions

SLNB using ICG is a promising technique, however, the detection rate obtained was slightly lower than with ^99mTc. The detection rate increased over time indicating that experience and training may play an important role besides further methodological refinements.

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Title: Sentinel lymph node mapping with fluorescent and radioactive tracers in vulvar cancer patients
Authors: Sonia Prader
Andreas du Bois
Philipp Harter
Elisabeth Breit
Stephanie Schneider
Thais Baert
Florian Heitz
Alexander Traut
Sarah Ehmann
Nina Pauly
Sebastian Heikaus
Detlef Moka
Beyhan Ataseven
Publication date: 01-03-2020
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keywords: Vulvar Cancer
Vulvar Cancer
Published in: Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics / Issue 3/2020
Print ISSN: 0932-0067
Electronic ISSN: 1432-0711
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-019-05415-2

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Sentinel lymph node mapping with fluorescent and radioactive tracers in vulvar cancer patients

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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