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.