Sentinel lymph node biopsy for head and neck mucosal cancers - an update on the current evidence

• Published in: Oral diseases Vol. 22; no. 6; pp. 498 - 502
• Main Authors: Green, B, Blythe, JNStJ, Brennan, PA
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Denmark Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01-09-2016; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Biopsy; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - diagnostic imaging; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - pathology; Cost-Benefit Analysis; Dentistry; Head & neck cancer; Head and Neck Neoplasms - diagnostic imaging; Head and Neck Neoplasms - pathology; head and neck squamous cell carcinoma; Humans; Lymphatic system; Mucous Membrane; review; Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy; sentinel node; sentinel lymph node biopsy; review; sentinel node; head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
• ISSN: 1354-523X; 1601-0825
• DOI: 10.1111/odi.12470

Regional metastases are a prominent feature of mucosal‐associated head and neck squamous cell carcinomas and are an important prognostic factor. Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is one modality that has potential to add to the accuracy of neck staging, although it is currently not used as widely in the head and neck as it is in other areas such as breast cancer. We review the efficacy of SLNB in head and neck mucosal squamous cell carcinomas and provide an overview of current practice and include details of technical advances.