Abstract
Background: Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy is a staging technique for occult lymph node disease. SLN biopsy has been applied to select patients with sarcoma, although the clinical utility remains uncertain. Methods: A PubMed/MEDLINE literature search was performed, and SLN biopsy outcomes were analyzed using a Bayesian meta-analytic approach to obtain point and interval estimates of rates of interest. Results: Sixteen studies involving SLN biopsy in patients with sarcoma were identified. Of 114 patients reported, 14 patients had positive SLNs (crude estimate, 12%; meta-analysis estimate, 17%). The meta-analysis false-negative rate was 29% (95% credible interval, 5%-59%). Recurrence and death rates in the SLN-positive group were higher than in the SLN-negative group. Conclusions: This investigation highlights the current role of SLN biopsy in select patients with sarcoma for tumor staging. Questions regarding the high false-negative rate and management of micrometastatic lymphatic disease in patients with sarcoma still exist.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 428-433 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | American Journal of Surgery |
Volume | 204 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Oct 2012 |
Keywords
- Lymph node
- Sarcoma
- Sentinel
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Surgery