Sentinel Lymph Node Mapping in Lung Cancer: A Pilot Study for the Detection of Micrometastases in Stage I Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Lymphadenectomy represents a fundamental step in the staging and treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). To date, the extension of lymphadenectomy in early-stage NSCLC is a debated topic due to its possible complications. The detection of sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) is a strategy that can improve the selection of patients in which a more extended lymphadenectomy is necessary. This pilot study aimed to refine lymph nodal staging in early-stage NSCLC patients who underwent robotic lung resection through the application of innovative intraoperative sentinel lymph node (SLN) identification and the pathological evaluation using one-step nucleic acid amplification (OSNA). Clinical N0 NSCLC patients planning to undergo robotic lung resection were selected. The day before surgery, all patients underwent radionuclide computed tomography (CT)-guided marking of the primary lung lesion and subsequently Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) to identify tracer migration and, consequently, the area with higher radioactivity. On the day of surgery, the lymph nodal radioactivity was detected intraoperatively using a gamma camera. SLN was defined as the lymph node with the highest numerical value of radioactivity. The OSNA amplification, detecting the mRNA of CK19, was used for the detection of nodal metastases in the lymph nodes, including SLN. From March to July 2021, a total of 8 patients (3 female; 5 male), with a mean age of 66 years (range 48-77), were enrolled in the study. No complications relating to the CT-guided marking or preoperative SPECT were found. An average of 5.3 lymph nodal stations were examined (range 2-8). N2 positivity was found in 3 out of 8 patients (37.5%). Consequently, pathological examination of lymph nodes with OSNA resulted in three upstages from the clinical IB stage to pathological IIIA stage. Moreover, in 1 patient (18%) with nodal upstaging, a positive node was intraoperatively identified as SLN. Comparing this protocol to the usual practice, no difference was found in terms of the operating time, conversion rate, and complication rate. Our preliminary experience suggests that sentinel lymph node detection, in association with the accurate pathological staging of cN0 patients achieved using OSNA, is safe and effective in the identification of metastasis, which is usually undetected by standard diagnostic methods.

Impact of obesity on sentinel lymph node biopsy outcomes and survival in breast cancer patients: A single-center retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is a common choice for axillary surgery in patients with early-stage breast cancer (BC) who have clinically negative lymph nodes. Most research indicates that obesity is a prognostic factor for BC patients, but studies assessing its association with the rate of positive sentinel lymph nodes (SLN) and the prognosis of patients with early BC undergoing SLNB are limited. METHODS: Between 2013 and 2016, 7062 early-stage BC patients from the Shanghai Cancer Center of Fudan University were included. Based on the Chinese Body Mass Index (BMI) classification standards, the patients were divided into three groups as follows: normal weight, overweight, and obese. Propensity score matching analysis was used to balance the baseline characteristics of the participants. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the association between obesity and positive SLN rate. Cox regression analysis was used to investigate whether obesity was an independent prognostic factor for early-stage BC patients who had undergone SLNB. RESULTS: No significant association was observed between obesity and positive SLN rate in early-stage BC patients who had undergone SLNB. However, multivariate analysis revealed that compared to patients with normal BMI, the overall survival (hazard ratio (HR) 2.240, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.27-3.95, p = 0.005) and disease-free survival (HR 1.750, 95% CI 1.16-2.62, p = 0.007) were poorer in patients with high BMI. CONCLUSION: Obesity is an independent prognostic factor for early-stage BC patients who undergo SLNB; however, it does not affect the positive SLN rate.

Porphyrin-Based Self-Assembled Nanoparticles for PET/MR Imaging of Sentinel Lymph Node Metastasis.

Diagnosing of lymph node metastasis is challenging sometimes, and multimodal imaging offers a promising method to improve the accuracy. This work developed porphyrin-based nanoparticles (68Ga-F127-TAPP/TCPP(Mn) NPs) as PET/MR dual-modal probes for lymph node metastasis imaging by a simple self-assembly method. Compared with F127-TCPP(Mn) NPs, F127-TAPP/TCPP(Mn) NPs synthesized by amino-porphyrins (TAPP) doping can not only construct PET/MR bimodal probes but also improve the T1 relaxivity (up to 456%). Moreover, T1 relaxivity can be adjusted by altering the molar ratio of TAPP/TCPP(Mn) and the concentration of F127. However, a similar increase in T1 relaxivity was not observed in the F127-TCPP/TCPP(Mn) NPs, which were synthesized using carboxy-porphyrins (TCPP) doping. In a breast cancer lymph node metastasis mice model, subcutaneous injection of 68Ga-F127-TAPP/TCPP(Mn) NPs through the hind foot pad, the normal lymph nodes and metastatic lymph nodes were successfully distinguished based on the difference of PET standard uptake values and MR signal intensities. Furthermore, the dark brown F127-TAPP/TCPP(Mn) NPs demonstrated the potential for staining and mapping lymph nodes. This study provides valuable insights into developing and applying PET/MR probes for lymph node metastasis imaging.

Effectiveness of sentinel lymph node biopsy and bilateral pelvic nodal dissection using methylene blue dye in early-stage operable cervical cancer-A prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of methylene blue dye in detecting sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) in women with early-stage operable (defined as FIGO I-IIA) cervical cancer. It also aims to evaluate procedural challenges and accuracy. METHOD: This prospective study, which focused on 20 women with early-stage cervical cancer, was carried out between June 2016 and December 2017. These patients had SLN mapping with methylene blue dye injections and thorough examinations, including imaging. All patients underwent radical hysterectomy and complete bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy. No additional investigation was done on the lymph node in cases where a metastasis was found in the first H&E-stained segment of the sentinel node. RESULT: 20 patients were included in the analysis. The median age of the subjects was 53, and 95 % of them had squamous cell carcinoma. 90 % of the time, the identification of SLNs was effective, and 55 SLNs were found, of which 52.7 % were on the right side of the pelvis and 47.3 % on the left. The obturator group had the most nodes, followed by the external and internal iliac groups in descending order of occurrence. Metastasis was detected in 3 patients, resulting in a sensitivity of 100 % and a specificity of 93.75 % for SLN biopsy. Notably, no false-negative SLNs were found. Complications related to methylene blue usage included urine discoloration in 30 % of patients. CONCLUSION: This trial highlights the promising efficacy and safety of methylene blue dye alone for SLN identification in early-stage operable cervical cancer, with a notably higher success rate. Despite limitations like a small sample size, healthcare professionals and researchers can build upon the insights from this study to enhance cervical cancer management.

Clinical Impact of Pelvic Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy for Vulvar Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND/AIM: This study investigated the clinical impact of resection of pelvic sentinel lymph nodes (PSLNs) in squamous cell vulvar cancer (SCVC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty-two groins of 33 patients with SCVC who underwent sentinel lymph node (SLN) resection between 2010 and 2021 at the University Hospital of Cologne, Germany, were analyzed in this retrospective cohort study. The frequency of additionally resectable PSLNs, histological findings, and count rates were analyzed and compared to the findings for inguinal sentinel lymph nodes (ISLNs). RESULTS: In all patients and in 61 (98%) of the 62 radiolabeled groins, at least one SLN could be resected. Five (8%) of the 62 groins had histologically confirmed lymph node metastases (4/33 patients, 12%). Twenty (33%) of the 62 groins underwent additional PSLN resection. Resection of these PSLNs was feasible without causing an additional burden for the patients. None of the PSLNs showed signs of tumor infiltration. Information on the extent of radioactivity for ISLNs and simultaneously for PSLNs, expressed as count rate of intraoperative measurement with the gamma probe, was available for 20 (32%) groins. In three (15%) of these cases, the highest count rate in a SLN was found in a PSLN and not in an ISLN. CONCLUSION: Resection of PSLNs is feasible and can be performed without short-term complications. In patients with early SCVC, resection of PSLNs is not necessary, even in those with early infiltration of inguinal lymph nodes. The intraoperative count rate of SLN is not relevant for the decision to perform resection.

New Proposal Strategy of Sentinel Lymph Node Navigation Surgery for Endoscopic Curability C-2: A Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of the sentinel node navigation surgery (SNNS) followed by limited gastrectomy for early gastric cancer (EGC) with Endoscopic Curability C-2 (eCuraC-2). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 2001 and 2018, 33 patients were included in this study. Following sentinel node (SN) biopsy using indocyanine green combined with an infrared ray laparoscopic system, limited gastrectomy (LG) [wedge resection (WR), or segmental gastrectomy (SG)] was performed without extended lymphadenectomy. RESULTS: SN detection rate was 97% (32/33). The mean number of SNs per case was 7.8. Three patients (9.1%) with lymph node metastasis (LNM) had a positive SN identified by intraoperative pathological examination. When intraoperative pathologic examination showed SN to be LNM negative, 11 patients underwent WR, and seven were subjected to SG. Postoperative pathological examinations showed no false negatives for LNM, and four patients (12%) had residual cancer in their resected stomachs. Overall survival and disease-specific survival five years after SNNS were 87.9% and 100%, respectively. CONCLUSION: SNNS followed by LG with lymphatic basin resection may be one of the ideal procedures for patients with eCuraC-2 due to the accurate diagnosis of LNM and favorable disease-specific prognosis.

Correlation between sentinel lymph node biopsy and non-sentinel lymph node metastasis in patients with cN0 breast carcinoma: comparison of invasive ductal carcinoma and invasive lobular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Some studies have suggested that axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) can be avoided in women with cN0 breast cancer with 1-2 positive sentinel nodes (SLNs). However, these studies included only a few patients with invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC), so the validity of omitting ALDN in these patients remains controversial. This study compared the frequency of non-sentinel lymph nodes (non-SLNs) metastases in ILC and invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC). MATERIALS METHODS: Data relating to a total of 2583 patients with infiltrating breast carcinoma operated at our institution between 2012 and 2023 were retrospectively analyzed: 2242 (86.8%) with IDC and 341 (13.2%) with ILC. We compared the incidence of metastasis to SLNs and non-SLNs between the ILC and IDC cohorts and examined factors that influenced non-SLNs metastasis. RESULTS: SLN biopsies were performed in 315 patients with ILC and 2018 patients with IDC. Metastases to the SLNs were found in 78/315 (24.8%) patients with ILC and in 460 (22.8%) patients with IDC (p = 0.31). The incidence of metastases to non-SLNs was significantly higher (p = 0.02) in ILC (52/78-66.7%) compared to IDC (207/460 - 45%). Multivariate analysis showed that ILC was the most influential predictive factor in predicting the presence of metastasis to non-SLNs. CONCLUSIONS: ILC cases have more non-SLNs metastases than IDC cases in SLN-positive patients. The ILC is essential for predicting non-SLN positivity in macro-metastases in the SLN. The option of omitting ALND in patients with ILC with 1-2 positive SLNs still requires further investigation.

De-escalation of axillary treatment in the event of a positive sentinel lymph node biopsy in cT1-2 N0 breast cancer treated with mastectomy: nationwide registry study (BOOG 2013-07).

BACKGROUND: Trials have demonstrated the safety of omitting completion axillary lymph node dissection in patients with cT1-2 N0 breast cancer operated with breast-conserving surgery who have limited metastatic burden in the sentinel lymph node. The aim of this registry study was to provide insight into the oncological safety of omitting completion axillary treatment in patients operated with mastectomy who have limited-volume sentinel lymph node metastasis. METHODS: Women diagnosed in 2013-2014 with unilateral cT1-2 N0 breast cancer treated with mastectomy, with one to three sentinel lymph node metastases (pN1mi-pN1a), were identified from the Netherlands Cancer Registry, and classified by axillary treatment: no completion axillary treatment, completion axillary lymph node dissection, regional radiotherapy, or completion axillary lymph node dissection followed by regional radiotherapy. The primary endpoint was 5-year regional recurrence rate. Secondary endpoints included recurrence-free interval and overall survival, among others. RESULTS: In total, 1090 patients were included (no completion axillary treatment, 219 (20.1%); completion axillary lymph node dissection, 437 (40.1%); regional radiotherapy, 327 (30.0%); completion axillary lymph node dissection and regional radiotherapy, 107 (9.8%)). Patients in the group without completion axillary treatment had more favourable tumour characteristics and were older. The overall 5-year regional recurrence rate was 1.3%, and did not differ significantly between the groups. The recurrence-free interval was also comparable among groups. The group of patients who did not undergo completion axillary treatment had statistically significantly worse 5-year overall survival, owing to a higher percentage of non-cancer deaths. CONCLUSION: In this registry study of patients with cT1-2 N0 breast cancer treated with mastectomy, with low-volume sentinel lymph node metastasis, the 5-year regional recurrence rate was low and comparable between patients with and without completion axillary treatment.

Sentinel lymph node identification using NIR-II ultrabright Raman nanotags on preclinical models.

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) nanotags have garnered much attention as promising bioimaging contrast agent with ultrahigh sensitivity, but their clinical translation faces challenges including biological and laser safety. As breast sentinel lymph node (SLN) imaging agents, SERS nanotags used by local injection and only accumulation in SLNs, which were removed during surgery, greatly reduce biological safety concerns. But their clinical translation lacks pilot demonstration on large animals close to humans. The laser safety requires irradiance below the maximum permissible exposure threshold, which is currently not achievable in most SERS applications. Here we report the invention of the core-shell SERS nanotags with ultrahigh brightness (1 pM limit of detection) at the second near-infrared (NIR-II) window for SLN identification on pre-clinical animal models including rabbits and non-human primate. We for the first time realize the intraoperative SERS-guided SLN navigation under a clinically safe laser (1.73 J/cm2) and identify multiple axillary SLNs on a non-human primate. No evidence of biosafety issues was observed in systematic examinations of these nanotags. Our study unveils the potential of NIR-II SERS nanotags as appropriate SLN tracers, making significant advances toward the accurate positioning of lesions using the SERS-based tracer technique.

Application value of a hybrid tracer during sentinel lymph node biopsy for head and neck malignancies: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

To address the limitations of conventional sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB), a novel hybrid tracer (indocyanine green [ICG]-99mTc-nanocolloid) has been developed. This meta-analysis aimed to compare the differences between the novel hybrid tracer and conventional methods using ICG or radioisotope (RI) for SLNB in head and neck malignancies. This study was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD42023409127). PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library were systematically searched. This study included raw data on the number of sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) identified using different modalities during surgery for head and neck malignancies. The identification rate of SLNs was the main outcome of interest. Prognostic data and complication rate cannot be deduced from this article. The heterogeneity test (I2) determined the use of a fixed- or random-effects model for the pooled risk ratio (RR). Overall, 1275 studies were screened, of which 11 met the inclusion criteria for the meta-analysis. In SLN identification of head and neck malignancies, ICG-99mTc-nanocolloid was superior to ICG or RI. In the subgroup analyses, the detection rates of ICG and RI tracers in SLNB were comparable, regardless of the device, tumor type, or tumor stage. In conclusion, in SLN identification of head and neck malignancies, the use of ICG-99mTc-nanocolloid is superior to the single technique of ICG or RI. This study suggests that Hospitals using ICG or RI may find it beneficial to change their practice to ICG-99mTc-nanocolloid, especially in the head and neck area, owing to its superior effectiveness.

Contrast-enhanced Ultrasound Using Intradermal Microbubble Sulfur Hexafluoride in Non-invasive Axillary Staging in Breast Cancer: Are we Missing a Chance?

BACKGROUND/AIM: In the context of surgical de-escalation in early breast cancer (EBC), this study aimed to evaluate the contrast enhancement ultrasound (CEUS) sentinel lymph node (SLN) procedure as a non-invasive axillary staging procedure in EBC in comparison with standard SLN biopsy (SLNB). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A subanalysis of the AX-CES study, a prospective single-arm, monocentric phase 3 study was performed (EudraCT: 2020-000393-20). The study included patients with EBC undergoing upfront surgery and SLN resection, with no prior history of locoregional treatment, and weighing between 40-85 kg. All patients underwent the CEUS SLN procedure as a non-invasive axillary staging procedure, with CEUS SLN accumulation marked using blue dye. After the CEUS SLN procedure, all patients underwent the standard mapping procedure. Data on success rate, systemic reactions, mean procedure time, mean surgical procedure, mean procedure without axillary staging, CEUS SLN appearance (normal/pathological), SLN number, and concordance with standard mapping procedure were collected. RESULTS: After the CEUS SLN procedure, 29 LNs among 16 patients were identified and marked. In all cases, CEUS SLN revealed at least one LN enhancement. Six (37.50%) LNs were defined as pathological after the CEUS SLN procedure. Definitive staining of CEUS SLN pathology revealed metastatic involvement in four (66.67%) of the cases. Two SLNs were identified during the CEUS SLN procedure; however, owing to the low disease burden, no change in the surgical plan was reported. CONCLUSION: The CEUS SLN procedure shows promise as a technique for non-invasive assessment of the axilla, potentially enabling safe axillary de-escalation in EBC by estimating the axillary disease burden.

A selective anatomically based lymph node sampling can replace a side specific pelvic lymphadenectomy in endometrial cancer with failed sentinel node mapping.

AIM: To evaluate the locations of metastatic pelvic sentinel nodes (SLN) and the proportion of SLNs outside and within defined typical anatomical positions along the upper paracervical lymphatic pathway (UPP). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Consecutive women with endometrial cancer (EC) of all risk groups underwent pelvic SLN-detection using cervically injected indocyanine green (ICG). A strict anatomically based algorithm and definitions of SLNs was adhered to. The positions of ICG-defined SLNs were intraoperatively depicted on an anatomical chart. All SLNs were examined using ultrastaging and immunohistochemistry. The proximal third of the obturator fossa and the interiliac area were defined as typical positions. The parauterine lymphovascular tissue (PULT) was separately removed. The proportions of metastatic SLNs, overall and isolated, typically, and atypically positioned were analyzed per woman. RESULTS: A median of two (range 1-12) SLN metastases along the UPP including the PULT were found in 162 women. 41 of 162 women (25.3 %) had isolated metastases in the obturator fossa harboring 49.1 % of all SLN metastases. Three women (1,9 %) had isolated PULT metastases. SLN metastases outside typical positions were identified in 28/162 women (17.3 %); isolated metastases were seen in seven women (4.3 %), so 95.7 % of pelvic node positive women had at least one metastatic SLN located at a typical position. CONCLUSION: A selective removal of lymph nodes at typical proximal obturator and interiliac positions and the PULT can replace a full side specific pelvic LND when SLN mapping is unsuccessful. The obturator fossa is the predominant location for metastatic disease.

Comparison of Intraoperative Imprint Cytology versus Frozen Section for Sentinel Lymph Node Evaluation in Breast Cancer. A study along with Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of literature.

BACKGROUND: Sentinel lymph node (SLN) is the first lymph node to drain the lymph from a particular region involved by cancer. The commonly performed intraoperative methods for SLN evaluation are touch imprint cytology (TIC) and frozen section (FS). The present study aimed to determine the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of TIC and FS with histopathological diagnosis as gold standard. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The nodes were bissected along their long axis and wet surface was imprinted on to clean glass slides followed by toluidine blue and rapid Papanicolaou staining. Subsequently the lymph node slices were cut at three levels using the cryostat machine and stained with Hematoxylin and eosin stain. The cytological and FS findings were compared and the specificity, sensitivity, accuracy, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of TIC and FS was evaluated taking histopathological diagnosis as gold standard. In addition, pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and diagnostic accuracy for touch imprint cytology and frozen section were assessed for the studies included in the meta-analysis. RESULTS: The specificity, sensitivity, diagnostic accuracy, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of touch imprint cytology were 100%, 88.2%, 90%, 100% and 60% respectively. The specificity, sensitivity, diagnostic accuracy, PPV and NPV of frozen section were 100%, 94.1%, 95%, 100% and 75% respectively. The sensitivity of TIC and FS for detection of micrometastasis was 60% and 80% respectively. The pooled sensitivity and specificity for touch imprint cytology were 85.24% (95% CI, 83.46%-86.90%), and 98.99% (95% CI, 98.69%-99.23%) respectively. The pooled sensitivity and specificity for frozen section examination were 90.45% (95% CI, 85.15%-94.34%), and 100% (95% CI, 99.24%-100%) respectively. CONCLUSION: Even though the sensitivity of FS was better than imprint cytology in detection of micrometastasis, TIC is a rapid inexpensive technique which can be utilized in remote areas in absence of cryostat machine. The sensitivity of the two techniques with respect to detection of macrometastasis was comparable. This meta-analysis highlights the accuracy of the touch imprint cytology and frozen section examination in the intra-operative detection of malignancy in breast cancer.

Omitting Axillary Dissection in Breast Cancer with Sentinel-Node Metastases.

BACKGROUND: Trials evaluating the omission of completion axillary-lymph-node dissection in patients with clinically node-negative breast cancer and sentinel-lymph-node metastases have been compromised by limited statistical power, uncertain nodal radiotherapy target volumes, and a scarcity of data on relevant clinical subgroups. METHODS: We conducted a noninferiority trial in which patients with clinically node-negative primary T1 to T3 breast cancer (tumor size, T1, ≤20 mm; T2, 21 to 50 mm; and T3, >50 mm in the largest dimension) with one or two sentinel-node macrometastases (metastasis size, >2 mm in the largest dimension) were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to completion axillary-lymph-node dissection or its omission (sentinel-node biopsy only). Adjuvant treatment and radiation therapy were used in accordance with national guidelines. The primary end point was overall survival. We report here the per-protocol and modified intention-to-treat analyses of the prespecified secondary end point of recurrence-free survival. To show noninferiority of sentinel-node biopsy only, the upper boundary of the confidence interval for the hazard ratio for recurrence or death had to be below 1.44. RESULTS: Between January 2015 and December 2021, a total of 2766 patients were enrolled across five countries. The per-protocol population included 2540 patients, of whom 1335 were assigned to undergo sentinel-node biopsy only and 1205 to undergo completion axillary-lymph-node dissection (dissection group). Radiation therapy including nodal target volumes was administered to 1192 of 1326 patients (89.9%) in the sentinel-node biopsy-only group and to 1058 of 1197 (88.4%) in the dissection group. The median follow-up was 46.8 months (range, 1.5 to 94.5). Overall, 191 patients had recurrence or died. The estimated 5-year recurrence-free survival was 89.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 87.5 to 91.9) in the sentinel-node biopsy-only group and 88.7% (95% CI, 86.3 to 91.1) in the dissection group, with a country-adjusted hazard ratio for recurrence or death of 0.89 (95% CI, 0.66 to 1.19), which was significantly (P<0.001) below the prespecified noninferiority margin. CONCLUSIONS: The omission of completion axillary-lymph-node dissection was noninferior to the more extensive surgery in patients with clinically node-negative breast cancer who had sentinel-node macrometastases, most of whom received nodal radiation therapy. (Funded by the Swedish Research Council and others; SENOMAC ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02240472.).

vNOTES surgical staging for endometrial carcinoma in overweight patients: a case series.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to show the feasibility and surgical outcome of vNOTES retroperitoneal dissection and isolation of sentinel lymph nodes in overweight and obese patients with endometrial cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four patients had undergone pelvic lymphadenectomy with a sentinel lymph node. Three patients were overweight, and one was obese with a BMI of 34.6 kg/m2. By using NMR mode sentinel lymph node was visualized, excised and marked separately for pathohistological analysis from the rest of the visualized lymph nodes that were then consecutively excised. RESULTS: The mean number of overall excised lymph nodes was 12.5, and the mean number on the right side was 5.75 and 6.25 on the left side. There were no metastases verified in the pathohistological evaluation. CONCLUSION: vNOTES retroperitoneal isolation of sentinel lymph nodes is good alternative and has its benefits, especially in overweight and obese patients with satisfying low intra- and postoperative complications.

A new prediction nomogram of non-sentinel lymph node metastasis in cT1-2 breast cancer patients with positive sentinel lymph nodes.

We aimed to analyze the risk factors and construct a new nomogram to predict non-sentinel lymph node (NSLN) metastasis for cT1-2 breast cancer patients with positivity after sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB). A total of 830 breast cancer patients who underwent surgery between 2016 and 2021 at multi-center were included in the retrospective analysis. Patients were divided into training (n = 410), internal validation (n = 298), and external validation cohorts (n = 122) based on periods and centers. A nomogram-based prediction model for the risk of NSLN metastasis was constructed by incorporating independent predictors of NSLN metastasis identified through univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses in the training cohort and then validated by validation cohorts. The multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the number of positive sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) (P < 0.001), the proportion of positive SLNs (P = 0.029), lymph-vascular invasion (P = 0.029), perineural invasion (P = 0.023), and estrogen receptor (ER) status (P = 0.034) were independent risk factors for NSLN metastasis. The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUC) value of this model was 0.730 (95% CI 0.676-0.785) for the training, 0.701 (95% CI 0.630-0.773) for internal validation, and 0.813 (95% CI 0.734-0.891) for external validation cohorts. Decision curve analysis also showed that the model could be effectively applied in clinical practice. The proposed nomogram estimated the likelihood of positive NSLNs and assisted the surgeon in deciding whether to perform further axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) and avoid non-essential ALND as well as postoperative complications.

Recurrence factors in patients with cutaneous melanoma and positive sentinel lymph node treated in a single reference unit in Buenos Aires.

INTRODUCTION: Although therapeutic advances have improved results of cutaneous melanoma (CM), sentinel node-positive patients still have substantial risk to develop recurrent disease. We aim to investigate prognostic indicators associated with disease recurrence in positive-sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) patients in a Latin-American population. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of CM patients and positive-SLNB (2010-2020). Patients were divided into two groups: Group A (completion lymph node dissection, CLND), Group B (active surveillance, AS). Association of demographics, tumor data and SLN features with recurrence-free (RFS), distant metastases-free (DMFS) and melanoma specific (MSS) survival was analyzed. RESULTS: Of 205 patients, 45 had a positive SLNB; 27(60%) belonged to Group A and 18(40%) to Group B. With a median follow-up of 36 months, 16 patients (12 in Group A and 4 in Group B) developed recurrent disease and estimated 5-yr RFS at any site was 60% (CI95%, 0.39 - 0.77) (44.5% in CLND group vs. 22% in AS group; P = 0.20). Estimated 5-yr DMFS and MSS: 65% (CI 95%, 0.44 - 0.81) and 73% (CI 95%, 0.59 - 0.89) with no differences between groups (p = 0.41 and 0.37, respectively). Independent predictors of poorer MSS were extranodal extension (ENE) and MaxSize > 2 mm of melanoma deposit in SLN. Factors independently associated with DMFS: Breslow depth > 2 mm, ENE, number (≥ 2) of positive SN and CLND status. CONCLUSION: Primary tumor and SN features in melanoma provide important prognostic information that help optimize prognosis and clinical management. AS is now the preferred approach for most positive-SLNB CM patients.

Introducción: Si bien los avances terapéuticos han permitido mejorar los resultados del melanoma cutáneo (MC), los pacientes con ganglio centinela positivo (BGCP) aún tienen riesgo elevado de desarrollar recurrencia de la enfermedad. Nuestro objetivo fue investigar indicadores pronósticos asociados a dicho evento en una población latinoamericana. Métodos: Análisis retrospectivo de pacientes con MC y BGCP entre 2010-2020. Los pacientes se dividieron en 2 grupos: Grupo A (linfadenectomía terapéutica) y Grupo B (Vigilancia activa, VA). Se analizaron datos demográficos, tumorales y características del GC junto con sobrevidalibre de recurrencia (SLR), libre de metástasis a distancia (SLMD) y específica de melanoma (SEM). Resultados: De 205 pacientes, 45 presentaron BGCP; 27 (60%) perteneció al Grupo A y 18 (40%) al Grupo B. Con una mediana de seguimiento de 36 meses, 16 pacientes (12 en Grupo A y 4 en Grupo B) desarrollaron enfermedad recurrente con una SLR a 5 años de 60% (IC95%: 0.39-0.77) (44.5% en Grupo B vs. 22% en Grupo A; P = 0.20). Las SLMD y SEM estimadas a 5 años fueron de 65% (CI 95%, 0.44 ­ 0.81) y 73% (CI 95%, 0.59 ­ 0.89) sin diferencias entre ambos grupos (p = 0.41 y 0.37, respectivamente). Los predictores independientes de peor SEM fueron: extensión extranodal (ENE) y MaxSize > 2mm de depósito tumoral en GC. Los factores asociados de forma independiente con SLMD fueron Breslow > 2mm, ENE, número (≥ 2) de GC positivos y el status (positividad) de la linfadenectomía. Conclusión: Características del tumor primario y del GC brindan información importante que ayuda a optimizar el pronóstico y manejo clínico de los pacientes con MC. La VA es actualmente el abordaje de elección para la mayoría de los pacientes con BGCP.

Clinicopathological factors associated with sentinel lymph node detection in non-small-cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Mapping of the pulmonary lymphatic system by near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging might not always identify the first lymph node relay. The aim of this study was to determine the clinicopathologic factors allowing the identification of sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) by NIR fluorescence imaging in thoracic surgery for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of 92 patients treated for suspected or confirmed cN0 lung cancer with curative intent who underwent an intraoperative injection of indocyanine green (ICG) either by direct peritumoral injection or by endobronchial injection using electromagnetic navigational bronchoscopy (ENB). After exclusion of patients for technical failure, benign disease and metastasis, we analyzed the clinicopathologic findings of 65 patients treated for localized-stage NSCLC, comparing the group with identification of SLNs (SLN-positive group) with the group without identification of SLNs (SLN-negative group). RESULTS: Forty-eight patients (73.8%) were SLN-positive. Patients with SLN positivity were more frequently female (50%) than the SLN-negative patients were (11.8%) (p = 0.006). The mean value of diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) was lower among the patients in the SLN-negative group (64.7% ± 16.7%) than the SLN-positive group (77.6% ± 17.2%, p < 0.01). The ratio of forced expiratory volume in one second to forced vital capacity (FEV1/FCV) was higher in the SLN-positive group (69.0% vs. 60.8%, p = 0.02). Patients who were SLN-negative were characterized by a severe degree of emphysema (p = 0.003). There was no significant difference in pathologic characteristics. On univariate analyses, age, female sex, DLCO, FEV1/FVC, degree of emphysema, and tumor size were significantly associated with SLN detection. On multivariate analysis, DLCO > 75% (HR = 4.92, 95% CI: 1.27-24.7; p = 0.03) and female sex (HR = 5.55, 95% CI: 1.25-39.33; p = 0.04) were independently associated with SLN detection. CONCLUSIONS: At a time of resurgence in the use of the sentinel lymph node mapping technique in the field of thoracic surgery, this study enabled us to identify, using multivariate analysis, two predictive factors for success: DLCO > 75% and female sex. Larger datasets are needed to confirm our results.