Validation of sentinel lymph node biopsy with completion neck dissection in oral cavity cancer
ACTA OTO-LARYNGOLOGICA, cilt.1, sa.1, ss.1-6, 2025 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 1 Sayı: 1
- Basım Tarihi: 2025
- Doi Numarası: 10.1080/00016489.2025.2556821
- Dergi Adı: ACTA OTO-LARYNGOLOGICA
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, International Bibliography of Social Sciences, Biotechnology Research Abstracts, CAB Abstracts, CINAHL, EMBASE, Linguistics & Language Behavior Abstracts, Veterinary Science Database
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.1-6
- Hacettepe Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Background
Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is increasingly used in oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC) as a minimally invasive approach that may reduce overtreatment and morbidity compared to elective neck dissection (END).
Aim
This study evaluated the diagnostic performance of SLNB in clinically node-negative (cN0) OCSCC and its utility in mapping lymphatic drainage, particularly in advanced tumors.
Methods
A retrospective cohort of 57 cN0 OCSCC patients undergoing SLNB followed by completion neck dissection was analysed.
Results
In early-stage tumors (T1/T2), SLNB demonstrated 100% sensitivity and negative predictive value, with an occult metastasis rate of 23.8%. No false negatives were observed, and only one patient was upstaged. In T3/T4 tumors, sensitivity and NPV decreased to 55.6% and 60%. The false-negative rate (FNR), calculated as the proportion of false negatives among patients with histopathologically confirmed nodal metastases, was 44.4%. Contralateral or bilateral drainage occurred in 40% of well-lateralized advanced tumors, reflecting altered drainage with progression.
Conclusion
SLNB is a reliable staging tool in early OCSCC. In advanced disease, although diagnostic accuracy is reduced, it provides valuable information on atypical drainage pathways.