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Lymph node dissection has been an integral part of the surgical treatment of gynecological malignancies for over a century. The significance of lymph node dissection in gynecological oncology is reviewed in the light of our current knowledge of tumor biology. The original 'centrifugal theory' of metastasis formation leading to the concept of 'radical' surgery has its limitations. Lymph node dissection will still be necessary in gynecological oncology until molecular diagnostics have developed sufficiently and efficacious systemic therapies are available., (© 2014 S. Karger GmbH, Freiburg.)

Introduction: Synchronous gynecological tumors are uncommon. Identifying the primary site of lymphatic spread may be difficult., Methods: Two women with synchronous squamous cervical and adenosquamous endometrial cancers (patient A) and squamous cervical and serous borderline ovarian tumors (patient B) entered retrospectively this study. Both patients had pelvic nodal metastases of unknown origin. Uterine cervix, endometrium, and lymph nodes were tested for human papillomavirus DNA using high-sensitive polymerase chain reaction, followed by oligonucleotide microarray for genotyping., Results: Human papillomavirus 16 DNA was extracted from portio vaginalis and pelvic nodes of both women. Viral homology between cervical and lymph nodal lesions helped to identify the primary metastasizing tumors in both patients., Conclusions: Human papillomavirus testing on pelvic lymphatic tissue represents a feasible tool to detect the primary site of lymphatic spread in synchronous gynecological malignancies, when uterine cervix is involved.

Lymph node metastases is a recognized prognostic factor in women with cervical cancer. However, there is a need for consensual histological definition of micrometastases in this indication which could give rise to a classification system similar to that used in breast cancer. We thus conducted a MEDLINE and EMBASE database analysis to evaluate the concept of micrometastases in cervical cancer. Retrospective studies place the incidence of micrometastasis between 1.5 and 15% depending on the technique used to evaluate lymph node status. Sentinel lymph node biopsy with serial sectioning and immunohistochemical analysis appears to be the most accurate micrometastases detection technique. The value of RT-PCR in micrometastases detection remains to be clarified by further studies. From a clinical view point, few data are available to support the prognostic relevance of micrometastases. However, case control and longitudinal studies have underlined the risk of recurrence in women with micrometastases, raising the issue of a revision of adjuvant therapy indications in this specific population.

The presence of lymph node (LN) metastases has a major impact on the prognosis of women with endometrial cancer and compromises recurrence-free time. LN assessment has become the standard of care in the surgical staging of patients and plays a crucial role in decision making. Sentinel lymph node (SLN) detection improves the accuracy of lymphatic drainage mapping compared to pelvic node dissection used alone. Serial sectioning of SLNs followed by immunohistochemical examination with conventional histology improves accuracy of micrometastatic identification. In this review, we found a high incidence of micrometastases in endometrial cancer, reaching 25% depending on the stage and the techniques used for the node examination. Current data are insufficient to evaluate the prognostic impact of the presence of micrometastases, but it seems that more accurate detection of lymphatic spread will allow better stratification of intermediate risk patients. Ultimately, this will assist in tailoring adjuvant treatment.

In this review article, the application of sentinel lymph node (SLN) lymphoscintigraphy not only in breast cancer and melanoma but also in cancers of the genital organs and the lungs is described. After a brief historical background, including Virchow and Cabanas' views, a description of the basic technique and the sensitivity and specificity of this technique in identifying SLN in breast cancer and melanoma are presented. In cervical and vulvar cancer and also in lung cancer, special techniques are applied before and during surgery and evaluated after surgical operation. The advantages and disadvantages of using SLN lymphoscintigraphy are described. Finally, our experience from using SLN lymphoscintigraphy, especially in cervical cancer, is presented. The technique for SLN mapping may save the patient from extended surgical procedures, indicate the pathways of lymph drainage and identify skip metastases. Nevertheless, the sensitivity of this technique should improve more in order to provide information concerning the extent of surgical treatment.

The utility of lymphatic mapping and sentinel lymph node biopsy in malignancies of the female lower genital tract-- vulvar, vaginal, and cervical cancers--is being explored in multiple centers internationally. For patients with these tumors, lymphatic mapping with sentinel lymph node biopsy holds the promise of increasing the identification of microscopically metastatic disease while decreasing the morbidity of complete lymphadenectomy. In this review article we present the published data on mapping techniques and discuss the advantages and pitfalls of these procedures.