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Background/Objective Breast biopsy and analysis of sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) accurately predict tumor status in the affected basin and help in avoiding unnecessary axillary lymph node dissection, which is associated with remarkable morbidity risk. Blue dye and radioisotope are the most widely used mapping agents, but non-radioactive tracers of comparable accuracy warrant further investigation. This study aimed to investigate utilization of indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence in sentinel node localization compared with blue dye and to assess the incremental value of ICG. Methods A total of 39 consecutive patients underwent sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) (40 cases: 38 unilateral and 1 bilateral) with combined blue dye and ICG for localization. The obtained fluorescence images of the lymphatic system were investigated. Results All 84 lymph nodes removed in 40 procedures were identified by ICG, but only 37 were identified by blue dye. The ICG method identified an average of 2.1 SLNs in 39 of 40 cases with a detection rate of 97.5%, but only 0.93 SLN per case with blue dye. Subcutaneous lymphatic channel patterns were also detected by fluorescent imaging in 37 procedures, which all revealed lymphatic drainage toward the axilla except in one case with internal mammary pathway. Conclusion This study demonstrated the accuracy and safety of ICG for SLNB and its superiority to blue dye method in SLN localization. Therefore, ICG fluorescence method is safe and effective addition in breast clinical settings, wherein blue dye alone is used.

Background: Anaphylaxis is a constant perioperative concern due to the exposure to several agents capable of inducing hypersensitivity reactions. Patent blue V (PBV), also known as Sulfan Blue, a synthetic dye used in sentinel node research in breast surgery, is responsible for 0.6% of reported anaphylactic conditions. We present a case of a 49-year-old female patient who underwent left breast tumorectomy with sentinel lymph node staging using PBV and experienced an anaphylactic reaction. Methods: We conducted a literature search through PubMed for case reports, case series, review and systematic reviews since 2005 with the keywords “anaphylaxis” and “patent blue”. We then included articles found in these publications’ reference sections. Results: We found 12 relevant publications regarding this topic. The main findings are summarized, with information regarding the clinical presentation, management, and investigation protocol. Hypotension is the most common clinical manifestation. The presentation is usually delayed when compared with anaphylaxis from other agents and cutaneous manifestations are occasionally absent. Patients may have had previous exposure to the dye, used also as a food, clothes and drug colorant. Conclusion: The diagnosis of anaphylaxis in patients under sedation or general anesthesia may be difficult due to particularities of the perioperative context. According to the published literature, the presentation of the reaction is similar in most cases and a heightened clinical sense is key to address the situation appropriately. Finding the agent responsible for the allergic reaction is of paramount importance to prevent future episodes. Resumo: Introdução: A anafilaxia pode ocorrer durante o período perioperatório devido à exposição a diversos agentes capazes de induzir reações de hipersensibilidade. O corante Sintético Azul Patente V (APV), também conhecido como Sulfan Blue, é usado na pesquisa de linfonodo sentinela em cirurgia de mama, e é responsável por 0,6% dos eventos anafiláticos relatados. Descrevemos o caso de uma paciente de 49 anos de idade, submetida à tumorectomia de mama esquerda com estadiamento de linfonodo sentinela, em que se empregou o APV e que apresentou reação anafilática. Método: Por meio do PubMed, pesquisamos publicações que documentavam relatos de casos, séries de casos, revisões e revisões sistemáticas desde 2005 usando as palavras-chave “anaphylaxis” e “patent blue”. Em seguida, incluímos artigos encontrados na lista de referências dessas publicações. Resultados: Encontramos 12 publicações relevantes sobre o tópico. Os principais achados estão resumidos, com informações do quadro clínico, tratamento e protocolo de investigação. A hipotensão foi a manifestação clínica mais frequente. De forma geral, o quadro clínico tem início tardio quando comparado à anafilaxia por outros agentes e, ocasionalmente, as manifestações cutâneas estão ausentes. Os pacientes podem ter tido exposição prévia ao APV, que também é usado como corante de alimentos, roupas e medicamentos. Conclusão: O diagnóstico de anafilaxia em pacientes sob sedação ou anestesia geral pode ser difícil devido às peculiaridades do contexto perioperatório. Segundo a literatura publicada, a apresentação da reação é semelhante na maioria dos casos e um discernimento clínico aguçado é fundamental para enfrentar o evento adequadamente. Encontrar o agente responsável pela reação alérgica é essencial para a prevenção de futuros episódios.

Background Patients with breast cancer presenting with single lymph node metastasis (from a sentinel node) experience prolonged survival compared to patients with multiple lymph node metastases (≥3). However, little information is available on the genetic and immunological characteristics of breast cancer metastases within the regional lymph nodes as they progress from the sentinel lymph node (SLN) downstream to multiple regional lymph nodes (MLNs). Methods Genomic profiling was performed using a next-generation sequencing panel covering 520 cancer-related genes in the primary tumour and metastatic lymph nodes of 157 female patients with breast cancer. We included primary tumours, metastatic lymph nodes and adjacent clinically normal lymph nodes (20 patients from the SLN group and 28 patients from the MLNs group) in the whole transcriptome analysis. Findings The downstream metastatic lymph nodes (P = 0.029) and the primary breast tumours (P = 0.011) had a higher frequency of PIK3CA mutations compared to the SLN metastasis. We identified a distinct group of 14 mutations from single sentinel node metastasis and a different group of 15 mutations from multiple nodal metastases. Only 4 distinct mutations (PIK3CA, CDK4, NFKBIA and CDKN1B) were conserved in metastases from both lymph node settings. The tumour mutational burden (TMB) was significantly lower in single nodal metastasis compared to the paired primary breast cancer (P = 0.0021), while the decline in TMB did not reach statistical significance in the MLNs group (P = 0.083). In the gene set enrichment analysis, we identified 4 upregulated signatures in both primary tumour and nodal metastases from the MLNs group, including 3 Epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT) signatures and 1 angiogenesis signature. Both the CD8/Treg ratio and the CD8/EMT ratio were significantly higher in adjacent normal lymph nodes from patients with a single metastasis in the SLN compared with samples from the MLNs group (P = 0.045 and P = 0.023, respectively). This suggests that the immune defence from the MLNs patients might have a less favourable microenvironment, thus permitting multiple lymph nodes metastasis. Interpretation Single lymph node metastases and multiple lymph node metastases have significant differences in their molecular profiles and immune profiles. The findings are associated with more aggressive tumour characteristics and less favourable immune charactoristics in patients with multiple nodal metastases compared to those with a single metastasis in the sentinel node. Funding This work was supported by funds from High-level Hospital Construction Project (DFJH201921), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (81902828 and 82002928), the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (y2syD2192230), and the Medical Scientific Research Foundation of Guangdong Province (B2019039).

Purpose Current standard of care for patients with breast cancer with a positive node on sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy is axillary dissection with irradiation of the regional nodes, but it is unknown whether axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) can be safely omitted if complete axillary radiation is delivered instead. Methods and Materials We identified 161 patients found to have a positive sentinel lymph node on SLNB after neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer between December 2006 and October 2017, who were treated with or without completion ALND. Local, regional, and distant recurrence and overall survival were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Patient, disease, and treatment factors potentially predictive of each outcome were entered into Cox regression analysis. Results Median follow-up was 28.8 months (range, 2.5-137.0). The 3-year regional control rate did not differ according to extent of axillary surgery (92.6% for SLNB alone vs 96.4% for SLNB with ALND, P = .616). Regional recurrence occurred as part of first recurrence in 9 patients (5.6%). Five patients failed in axillary levels 1 or 2, 6 failed in axillary level 3 or supraclavicular nodes, and 2 failed in internal mammary nodes, with some patients failing in multiple regional nodal areas. Extent of axillary dissection (SLNB only vs SLNB plus ALND) did not predict for disease control or survival. Patients who underwent ALND were significantly more likely to have lymphedema (25.0% vs 9.4%, P = .021). Conclusions Careful selection of patients with a positive sentinel node on SLNB after neoadjuvant chemotherapy for omission of completion ALND in favor of irradiation of the undissected axilla does not compromise local, regional, or distant control or overall survival and results in lower rates of lymphedema.

Introduction In patients with positive lymph nodes (cN+) prior to neoadjuvant treatment (NAT), which convert to a clinically negative axilla (cN0) after treatment, the use of sentinel node biopsy (SNB) is still debatable, since the false-negative rate (FNR) is significantly high (12.6–14.2%). The objective of this retrospective mono-institutional study, with a long follow-up, aimed to evaluate the outcome in patients undergoing NAT who remained or converted to cN0 and received SNB independent of target axillary dissection (TAD) or the removal of at least 3 sentinel nodes (SNs). Methods This study analyzed 688 consecutive cT1-3, cN0/1/2 patients, operated at the European Institute of Oncology, Milan, from 2000 to 2015 who became or remained cN0 after NAT and underwent SNB with a least one SN found. Axillary dissection (AD) was not performed if the SN was negative. Nodal radiotherapy (RT) was not mandatory. Results Axillary failure occurred in 1.8% of the initially cN1/2 patients and in 1.5% of the initially cN0 patients. After a median follow-up of 9.2 years (IQR 5.3–12.3), the 5- and 10-year overall survival (OS) were 91.3% (95% CI, 88.8–93.2) and 81.0% (95% CI, 77.2–84.2) in the whole cohort, 92.0% (95% CI, 89.0–94.2) and 81.5% (95% CI, 76.9–85.2) in those initially cN0, 89.8% (95% CI, 85.0–93.2) and 80.1% (95% CI, 72.8–85.7) in those initially cN1/2. Conclusion The 10-year follow-up confirmed our preliminary data that the use of standard SNB is acceptable in cN1/2 patients who become cN0 after NAT and will not translate into a worse outcome.

After a brief epidemiological and anatomical-pathological review, the peculiarities of differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) in the elderly are reviewed, including novel aspects such as preoperative staging and indications for diagnostic surgery. The surgical indications for hemithyroidectomy and total thyroidectomy, detailed surgical strategy on lymph node neck dissection, contributions of the sentinel node, and the impact of biological markers for prophylactic central neck indications are also reviewed. We examine the clinical-pathologic and risk staging of DTC, as well as the prognostic factors and the influence of age on prognosis. We have updated the indications for radioiodine, criteria for TSH suppression, and the follow-up of DTC based on serum thyroglobulin and imaging, according to the latest guidelines, paying special attention to older adults. Papillary microcarcinoma is explored in detail with special reference to its active surveillance. Peculiarities of follicular, medullary, and anaplastic cancers, as well as, lymphoma in advanced age are also described.

Purpose Ultrasound is the recommended modality to assess axillary lymph node involvement in breast cancer; nevertheless, 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) integrated positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) diagnostic efficiency, to identify suspicious lesions, is also considered. We aim to report discrepancies in ultrasound and 18F-FDG PET/CT results. Methods This single-centered retrospective analysis selected consecutive patients with invasive ductal biopsy-proven breast cancer, for whom divergent 18F-FDG PET/CT and axillary ultrasound imaging (and/or core needle biopsy if available) had been performed, and described clinical, histological, imaging, and surgery data. Results This retrospective study included 560 patients and identified discordant results between 18F-FDG PET/CT and ultrasound (suspicious 18F-FDG PET/CT and normal ultrasound imaging and/or core needle biopsy) in 20 (4%) patients. Axillary lymph node involvement was confirmed in 17 (85%) out of these 20 patients. Further, the lymph nodes were smaller than one centimeter in 12 (60%) patients, macrometastasic involvement (involvement >2 mm) was detected in 13 (65%) patients, and more than 3 macrometastases were detected in 6 (30%) patients. All patients had an aggressive breast cancer. The sentinel node biopsy performed in 9 (45%) patients allowed to reveal lymph node involvement, even in cases of macrometastatic involvement. Conclusion Discordant results were issued from normal ultrasound imaging and/or core needle biopsy, and suspicious 18F-FDG PET/CT revealed that 18F-FDG PET/CT may overcome axillary ultrasound limits in the specific case of aggressive breast cancers, especially for axillary lymph nodes smaller than 1 centimeter. Sentinel node biopsy remains a valuable aid, even in patients with macrometastatic involvement.

Background Desmoplastic melanoma (DM) is an uncommon malignancy associated with a high local recurrence rate. The aim of this systematic review was to determine the positivity rate of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in patients with DM. The secondary outcome was to establish if SLNB is warranted for both pure DM (PDM) and mixed DM (MDM). Methods A full systematic literature review of SLNB in DM was performed by two authors in January 2016. Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid EMBASE and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched. Results Sixteen studies involving 1519 patients having SLNB in DM were included, of which 99 patients had positive SLNB (6.5%). Two articles reported a significantly reduced disease-free survival (DFS) with positive SLNB and three published a reduced melanoma-specific survival (MSS). Six studies compared SLNB in MDM and PDM. Of the 275 patients, 38 (13.8%) had a positive SLNB in MDM compared to 17 of 313 patients (5.4%) with positive SLNB in PDM. Conclusions Rates of positive SLNB in DM are reduced compared to other variants of melanoma; however, nodal status may still predict DFS and MSS. MDM is associated with a higher rate of micro-metastases to regional lymph nodes than PDM, and DFS and MSS may be lesser in MDM than in PDM. We would recommend the consideration of SLNB in MDM. However, with such low rates of positive SLNB in PDM, and in the absence of high-risk features to stratify patients, we would not recommend SLNB in PDM.

Summary: Aggressive digital papillary adenocarcinomas (ADPA) are malignant tumours of the sweat gland. Due to the high tendency to recur and metastasise, wide local resection of the lesion is recommended. However, there are a limited number of cases reporting the use of sentinel node biopsy in the management of ADPA, thus its effectiveness remains unclear. We present a case of ADPA of the right middle finger treated with digital amputation and sentinel node biopsy, and review the current literature focusing on the usefulness of sentinel node biopsy. Keywords: Aggressive digital papillary adenocarcinoma, Sweat gland carcinoma, Sentinel node biopsy

Sentinel lymph node biopsy alone, without complete axillary lymph node dissection, is the standard treatment of the axilla nodal chain in early-stage breast cancer patients presenting a negative sentinel lymph node. The updated results of the IBCSG 23-01 randomized trial recently provided evidence that this approach could be extended to early-stage breast cancer patients presenting only micrometastasis in the sentinel lymph node.On the other hand, patients with large operable or locally advanced breast cancer and clinically positive lymph nodes currently receive neoadjuvant chemotherapy and sentinel lymph node biopsy, which is then followed by complete axillary node dissection if the sentinel lymph node till contains tumor residue, regardless of the extent of nodal disease. Assuming that patients presenting only a micrometastatic sentinel lymph node after neoadjuvant chemotherapy are clinically equivalent to the IBCSG 23-01 early-breast cancer patients with only micrometastatic sentinel node, then complete axillary dissection would be unneeded also in these subset of patients in the neoadjuvant setting. The multicenter uncontrolled non-inferiority trial NEONOD 2 we here present was designed to assess this hypothesis, i.e. whether or not omission of complete axillary nodal clearance worsens prognosis in patients with sentinel node resulting only micrometastatic after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Keywords: Infiltrating breast cancer, Clinically positive axilla, Neoadjuvant chemotherapy, Sentinel lymph node biopsy, Axillary lymph node dissection, Outcome

There are two types of imaging for sentinel lymph node (SN) mapping by infrared light observation with indocyanine green (ICG) for early gastric cancer. One of the imaging systems is ICG absorption imaging, and the other image is ICG fluorescence imaging. Recently, new infrared ray electronic laparoscopes (IRELs) were developed by some medical device manufacturers. Our results show that ICG fluorescence imaging serves as a highly sensitive image-guidance procedure for intraoperative SN mapping in gastric cancer. The most important issue in performing SN biopsy is the intraoperative diagnosis of nodal metastasis. In the present series, lymph node metastasis was observed in the ICG-positive basin. Limitation of these methods is the optimal concentration of ICG and the timing for injection of ICG.

In the field of hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery, intraoperative fluorescence imaging using indocyanine green (ICG) can be applied to real-time visualization of the bile duct anatomy (fluorescence cholangiography), subcapsular hepatic tumors, and boundaries of hepatic segments. Sentinel node mapping and perfusion assessment by ICG-fluorescence imaging may also enhance the safety and efficacy of surgery. Currently, novel fluorophores are being developed for cancer-specific imaging targeting adenocarcinoma and identification of pancreatic juice leakage during pancreatectomy. In the future, fluorescence imaging techniques may develop into an essential navigation tool that enables surgeons to personalize surgical procedures according to the actual cancer spread, anatomic variations, and accurate prediction of postoperative complications (tailor-made surgery).

Nodal assessment represents an integral part of staging procedure for endometrial cancer. The widespread diffusion of sentinel node mapping determinates a phenomenon of migration from stage I to stage III disease, especially for low-risk endometrial cancer patients. The adoption of sentinel node mapping and pathological ultrastaging increase the detection of low volume disease (i.e., micrometastasis and isolated tumor cells), being low volume disease detected in >30% of patients with positive nodes. The prognostic role of low volume disease is discussed as well as the possible adjuvant strategies for patients diagnosed with micrometastasis and isolated tumor cells. The role of further prospective treatments in endometrial cancer, including molecular and genetic profiling, is critically reviewed.

Mastectomy surgery has been historically judged by its success at preventing local failures after primary invasive breast cancer treatment. Advancements in the use of adjuvant systemic treatments have further reduced the frequency of locoregional recurrences [LRRs], which commonly present as isolated events. Skin-sparing mastectomies, neoadjuvant therapy, and use of sentinel node staging have not increased LRR rates. Chest wall recurrences predominate, and most LRR are clinically detected and operable. The risk of developing a LRR depends of age, tumor size, nodal status, and molecular subtypes as well as prior treatments. Surgical resection and postoperative radiation therapy are therapeutic modalities routinely used to achieve control local disease after LRR. The risk of developing distant metastases and death is elevated. Endocrine and chemotherapy regimens have significantly improved outcomes for this patient population. Specifically, the CALOR trial demonstrated that overall survival was significantly improved with chemotherapy (hazard ratio for death of any cause 0.41; 95% confidence interval 0.0.19–0.89; p = .024), corresponding to a 5-year survival of 88% versus 76%. The recommended drug regimens should be individually tailored based on tumor characteristics and prior treatments.

The surgical management of the axilla in early breast cancer has significantly evolved over the past several decades. This chapter details the history of sentinel node dissection, as well as the indications, technical aspects, complications, histologic analysis, and oncologic outcomes of sentinel node biopsy as it compares to axillary dissection. The most current management recommendations are discussed, as are future directions.

Controversy has long existed regarding the biological implications and surgical treatment of regional lymph node metastasis in invasive breast cancer. Several factors have resulted in a renewed evaluation of axillary node dissection. First is the continuing biological controversy that axillary lymph node metastases are “indicators but not governors” of outcome in breast cancer. Indeed in all human cancers with few exceptions, this biological concept has been proved repeatedly, and in most studies addressing this issue, lymph node metastases have proved to be indicators only. Another factor that has led to resurgence of interest in the role of axillary node dissection is the downward trend in tumor size secondary to mammographic screening and the resulting decrease in proportion of patients with lymph node metastasis. Use of primary tumor characteristics and genomic patterns to aid in decisions to administer systemic chemotherapy, the failure of high-dose therapy with bone marrow support, and the increasing indications for systemic adjuvant therapy in most cases have also challenged the need for axillary node dissection. Finally, with the advent of sentinel lymph node biopsy and its widespread application, the need for complete axillary evaluation has been questioned. This chapter summarizes the role of the lymphatic system in breast cancer and factors that have led to the decreased need for surgical axillary evaluation. Alternatives to axillary lymph node dissection, including axillary observation only in patients with small tumors, treatment of the axilla with tangential whole breast radiotherapy fields or axillary radiotherapy, lymph node evaluation by four- and five-node sampling, sentinel node biopsy, and the use of ultrasound to stage the axilla are also discussed. The continuing controversy surrounding the potential value of axillary dissection in breast cancer patients is explored.

BACKGROUND: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) for early breast cancer can make breast-conserving surgery more feasible and might be more likely to eradicate micrometastatic disease than might the same chemotherapy given after surgery. We investigated the long-term benefits and risks of NACT and the influence of tumour characteristics on outcome with a collaborative meta-analysis of individual patient data from relevant randomised trials. METHODS: We obtained information about prerandomisation tumour characteristics, clinical tumour response, surgery, recurrence, and mortality for 4756 women in ten randomised trials in early breast cancer that began before 2005 and compared NACT with the same chemotherapy given postoperatively. Primary outcomes were tumour response, extent of local therapy, local and distant recurrence, breast cancer death, and overall mortality. Analyses by intention-to-treat used standard regression (for response and frequency of breast-conserving therapy) and log-rank methods (for recurrence and mortality). FINDINGS: Patients entered the trials from 1983 to 2002 and median follow-up was 9 years (IQR 5-14), with the last follow-up in 2013. Most chemotherapy was anthracycline based (3838 [81%] of 4756 women). More than two thirds (1349 [69%] of 1947) of women allocated NACT had a complete or partial clinical response. Patients allocated NACT had an increased frequency of breast-conserving therapy (1504 [65%] of 2320 treated with NACT vs 1135 [49%] of 2318 treated with adjuvant chemotherapy). NACT was associated with more frequent local recurrence than was adjuvant chemotherapy: the 15 year local recurrence was 21·4% for NACT versus 15·9% for adjuvant chemotherapy (5·5% increase [95% CI 2·4-8·6]; rate ratio 1·37 [95% CI 1·17-1·61]; p=0·0001). No significant difference between NACT and adjuvant chemotherapy was noted for distant recurrence (15 year risk 38·2% for NACT vs 38·0% for adjuvant chemotherapy; rate ratio 1·02 [95% CI 0·92-1·14]; p=0·66), breast cancer mortality (34·4% vs 33·7%; 1·06 [0·95-1·18]; p=0·31), or death from any cause (40·9% vs 41·2%; 1·04 [0·94-1·15]; p=0·45). INTERPRETATION: Tumours downsized by NACT might have higher local recurrence after breast-conserving therapy than might tumours of the same dimensions in women who have not received NACT. Strategies to mitigate the increased local recurrence after breast-conserving therapy in tumours downsized by NACT should be considered-eg, careful tumour localisation, detailed pathological assessment, and appropriate radiotherapy. FUNDING: Cancer Research UK, British Heart Foundation, UK Medical Research Council, and UK Department of Health. ispartof: LANCET ONCOLOGY vol:19 issue:1 pages:27-39 ispartof: location:England status: published

The treatment of the primary tumor aims to eliminate the lesions with safety margins, to decrease the risk of relapse, and to better characterize the prognosis of the disease. Metastases to regional lymph nodes represent an important prognostic factor in melanoma patients. Controversies exist about the way of managing melanoma metastases, detected after a positive sentinel node biopsy, but currently the main guidelines recommend a completion lymph node dissection as standard of care for patients with positive sentinel node. Recently the therapeutic approaches are becoming even more promising with the availability of new molecules as immune inhibitors and targeted therapies with BRAF or MEK inhibitors for adjuvant treatments of stage III melanoma with high risk of recurrence after surgery. Again for patients with in-transit metastases integrated therapeutic approaches including isolated limb perfusion and electrochemotherapy with the additive employment of targeted systemic agents should be considered. Finally, in cases of cutaneous and subcutaneous melanoma metastases some studies underlined the efficacy of intratumorally administered cytokines such as IL-2 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in terms of local tumor control and improvement of relapse-free and overall survival. The prognosis of stage IV metastatic melanoma is poor. Tumor metastatic potential is very high; in fact, 15%–35% of patients affected by cutaneous melanoma developed a metastatic disease. Metastatic spread may occur through lymphatic vessels, blood vessels, or contiguity. An overall 1-year survival of 25.5% and a median survival of 6.2 months were reported without any significant improvement during the past 30 years before the introduction of new drugs (immune checkpoint inhibitors and targeted therapies) that completely modified the therapeutic approach and induced an overwhelming improvement in the survival rates of these patients.

Because of the low incidence of Merkel cell carcinoma, there is, as yet, no consensus about an imaging algorithm for this entity. Ultrasonography plays a key role in lymph node staging of the neck, axilla, and abdomen, whereas computed tomography (CT) defines size, extension to the subdermal space, and localization of the primary tumor. CT is also important for detecting local, regional, and distant metastatic spread. Magnetic resonance imaging determines soft tissue infiltration by the primary tumor, particularly in muscles and fascia, and it helps to detect multiple aligned subcutaneous lesions and lymph node metastases. Lymphoscintigraphy, followed by sentinel node biopsy, is another important diagnostic and therapeutic tool in Merkel cell carcinoma patients, and it is valuable in avoiding the morbidity of elective neck dissection in patients who are sentinel node negative. The purpose of this chapter is to provide insight into the imaging features, indications, and advantages of each modality in Merkel cell carcinoma patients.

Objetivo. La creciente incidencia del melanoma facial constituye un auténtico reto en muchas regiones del mundo, a pesar de medidas como la educación sanitaria de la población y realización de screenings poblacionales. Aunque también se emplean terapias no quirúrgicas, la mayoría de los melanomas se tratan en la actualidad mediante excisión quirúrgica. En los últimos años, la biopsia del ganglio centinela se ha incorporado como una técnica diagnóstica y terapéutica adicional, y ha permitido una reducción significativa de la morbilidad asociada al manejo quirúrgico del cuello. En el presente artículo pretendemos revisar la experiencia de nuestro equipo con el melanoma de cabeza y cuello en los últimos años, así como analizar retrospectivamente la incidencia de metástasis locoregionales, y la predictibilidad de la biopsia de ganglio centinela para su estadiaje. Diseño del estudio. Se ha revisado retrospectivamente nuestra experiencia en los dos últimos años con 12 casos de melanoma de cabeza y cuello en que se realizó linfoescintigrafía y biopsia de ganglio centinela. Resultados. La identificación del ganglio centinela mediante sonda de captación gamma se consiguió en 11 de los casos (91,6%). Se identificaron un total de 21 ganglios centinela, es decir, 1,75 ganglios por paciente, siendo el nivel II cervical la localización más frecuente. Dos de ellos (9,52%) resultaron afectados por melanoma. La morbilidad residual como consecuencia de la biopsia de los ganglios centinelas ha sido mínima. Conclusiones. A pesar del reducido tamaño de la muestra y de la falta de seguimiento a largo plazo, nuestros resultados son similares a los obtenidos por otros autores, lo que nos induce a considerar la linfoescintigrafía y biopsia de ganglio centinela como una técnica fiable, incluso ya desde fases iniciales de su implantación.Objective. The ongoing incidence of malignant cutaneous melanoma of the head and neck has become a challenge in many regions of the world, in spite of prophylactic trials such as popular education and screening. Although non-surgical therapies are performed, most melanomas are actually treated by surgical excision. In the last few years, sentinel node biopsy has evolved as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool, and it has permitted a significant minimizing of the morbidity associated with the surgical management of the neck. This article is aimed at providing a thorough review of our experience in head and neck melanoma, as well as a retrospective analysis of locoregional metastases and the predictability of sentinel node biopsy for the staging of melanoma. Design. A retrospective review of our experience over the last two years has been carried out that includes 12 cases of head and neck melanoma where lymphoscintigraphy and sentinel node biopsy were performed. Results. Sentinel lymph nodes were identified using preoperative lymphoscintigraphy and intraoperative gamma probe in 11 cases (91.6%). A total of 21 nodes were identified in the 12 patients, with an average number of 1.75 nodes per patient. The most frequent site where nodes were located was level II of the neck. Two nodes (9.52%) were affected by melanoma. There was minimal morbidity related to this procedure. Conclusions. In spite of the reduced size of the sample and the short-term follow-up, our results are similar to those obtained by other authors, which leads us to believe that sentinel lymph node mapping with biopsy is a reliable technique for the diagnosis of regional spread in head and neck cutaneous melanoma, even in early development stages.

Objective Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in breast cancer patients is emerging as a promising minimally-invasive tool. There has been an exponential increase in the literature related to sentinel lymph nodes (SLN) in breast cancer patients, mainly from Western centres. This study was carried out to address issues relevant to breast cancer patients in developing countries, including the method of SLN detection, the role of imprint cytology in the assessment of SLN, and the role of SLNB in locally advanced breast cancer (LABC). Methods This study included 76 women with breast cancer. The blue-dye method was used to identify the sentinel node. Touch imprint smears were prepared from the sectioned node, stained using the Jenner-Geimsa technique, and examined for tumour deposits. Results Sentinel nodes were identified in 69 of 76 patients. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of SLNB in predicting axillary node status were 84.2%, 100% and 91.3%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of intraoperative imprint cytology were 96.9%, 100% and 98.6%, respectively. Conclusions These results prove that high levels of SLN detection can be achieved using the blue-dye method alone. Its role in LABC patients needs further evaluation. In view of promising results, imprint cytology should be used more frequently as an alternative to frozen section for the assessment of sentinel nodes.

Resumen: El manejo de los cuellos N0 en pacientes con carcinoma epidermoide de cabeza y cuello es controvertido. Objetivo. Demostrar la eficacia diagnóstica de la biopsia del ganglio centinela (GC) en los pacientes con carcinoma epidermoide oral con cuello clinicamente negativo. Metodología. Se realiza un estudio prospectivo de 12 pacientes consecutivos, hasta el momento, con carcinoma epidermoide oral de cualquier tamaño y cuello clinicamente negativo que no habian recibido tratamiento antitumoral, asistidos en el S. de Cirugía Maxilofacial del área del H.U.V.M de Sevilla. A estos pacientes se les realiza una linfografía cervical con nanocoloides -Tc 99 para localizar el GC, y una dosis de recuerdo antes de iniciar el ttº quirúrgico. Durante la cirugía se localiza el GC con la sonda y se extirpa, se completa la disección cervical funcional y la extirpación de la lesión con posteriores estudios histológicos independientes. Resultados. índice de linfolocalización: 91%, índice de radiolocalización 100%, falsos negativos 0%, la sensibilidad y VPN del 100%, cocientes de probabilidades positivo > 10 y negativo < 0,1. Conclusiones. La técnica es eficaz para detectar GC-metástasico y es una guia prometedora para indicar la disección cervical (Subvención FIS 2002).Abstract: IManagement of the N0 neck in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma remains controversial. Objective. To evaluate the feasibility and predictive ability of the sentinel node (SN) localization-biopsy technique for patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity and clinically negative necks. Methodology. We realize a prospective study of 12 consecutive patients at present, with squamous cell carcinoma oral and clinically negative necks. These patients had not recived treatment against tumor and they were assited by Maxillofacial Surgery Service of HUVM from Seville. All patients received a cervical Tc99mlymphoscintigraphy to localize the sentinel node and a new dose before surgery. Intraoperatively, the sentinel node is localized and it is removed separately before tumor resection and elective functional neck dissection. The different anatomic specimens are sent for independent histological examination. Results. lympholocalization 91%, radiolocalization 100%, false negative 0%, sensitivity and NPV 100%, likely hood ratios > 10 and likely negative ratios < 0.1. Conclusions. The technique allows identification of SN-metastases and shows promise in guiding functional neck dissection (FIS-2002 subvention)