Sentinel nodes in gynecologic malignancies

The concept of sentinel node identification and lymphatic mapping is alread y established as part of standard practice in the surgical management of br east cancer and melanoma. To reduce extensive radical procedures and decrea se morbidity in gynecologic malignancies, much effort is being focused on i mplementing less aggressive interventions. By combining the use of radioact ive tracers and blue dyes, investigators are identifying sentinel nodes. In vulvar and cervical carcinomas, sentinel node identification may significa ntly reduce the number of patients undergoing unnecessary, extensive lympha denectomy in the absence of disease. The addition of novel techniques, such as histopathologic ultrastaging, immunohistochemistry staining, and revers e transcriptase polymerase chain reaction assays, will help increase the ac curacy and rate of detection of disease. Curr Opin Oncol 2001, 13:403-407 ( C) 2001 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.