[A pilot study on the detection of sentinel lymph nodes in early stage cervical cancer].

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical value of sentinel lymph node (SLN) detection in the management of early stage cervix cancer. METHODS: Twenty eight patients with early stage (Ia - IIa) cervix cancer undergoing radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy were included in the study. 37 Mbq (0.4 ml) (99m)Tc-labeled dextran ((99m)Tc-DX) was injected to the cervix at two locations (2 and 10 o'clock) 18 hours before the operation followed by preoperative lymphoscintigraphy to detect the SLNs. During the operation, SLNs were identified from dissected LN by gamma-counter. The samples of SLNs and non-SLNs (NSLN) were recorded separately and compared with the final pathology results. RESULTS: SLN was identified in 27 of 28 (96%) patients. A total of 123 SLNs were identified from 814 lymph nodes. Six (21%) patients had altogether 11 positive lymph nodes, which were all SLNs. No patient had false-negative SLNs. CONCLUSIONS: SLNs can successfully predict the lymphatic metastasis in patients with cervical cancer. The clinical validity of this technique should be further evaluated.