Sentinel node biopsy in synovial sarcoma

• Published in: European journal of surgical oncology Vol. 34; no. 6; pp. 704 - 707
• Main Authors: Tunn, P.-U, Andreou, D, Illing, H, Fleige, B, Dresel, S, Schlag, P.M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01-06-2008
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Female; Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Medicine; Humans; Lower Extremity; Lymphatic mapping; Male; Middle Aged; Multimodal treatment; Prospective Studies; Sarcoma, Synovial - pathology; Sarcoma, Synovial - secondary; Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy; Sentinel node biopsy; Soft Tissue Neoplasms - pathology; Surgery; Survival Analysis; Synovial sarcoma; Treatment Outcome; Upper Extremity; Multimodal treatment; Lymphatic mapping; Synovial sarcoma; Sentinel node biopsy
• ISSN: 0748-7983; 1532-2157
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejso.2007.07.014

Abstract Aims To examine the relevance of sentinel node biopsy in patients with synovial sarcoma. Methods Between July 2004 and February 2007 11 consecutive patients with synovial sarcoma treated in our clinic underwent sentinel node biopsy after a preoperative lymphoscintigraphy. A handheld γ-probe was used during the procedure to identify the sentinel nodes, which were then resected and submitted for histopathologic evaluation. Results At least one sentinel node was identified in every patient. Of a total of 15 sentinels, one was positive and 14 negative. The patient with the positive sentinel underwent a regional lymph node dissection and remains disease-free 17 months later. One patient developed regional nodal metastases despite negative sentinel node biopsy and died 12 months after the procedure. No biopsy-associated complications were observed. Conclusions Sentinel node biopsy can be successfully and safely applied to patients with synovial sarcoma. Further prospective studies are required to determine the optimal treatment approach, the false negative rate and the prognostic significance of a positive sentinel node biopsy.