Sentinel lymph node in cervical cancer

Background: Cervical cancer is the second most common type of cancer among women. Effective screening programs can help cancer detection in early phases and reduce death. Metastasis to lymph nodes is one of the most prognostic factors in patients who underwent surgery. Also, a positive result from pathology report alert oncologist as a cause of death. Sentinel lymph node biopsy has been widely studied and clinically used for many types of cancer. Methods: Two techniques exist for detecting sentinel node in cervical cancer, which are Blue dye and gamma probe with radioactive isotope (99mTc). Moreover, lymphoscintigraphy has many advantages over the stain method. Detecting the sentinel node is performed via laparoscopy or laparotomy; former method is better and more accurate. Results: Various researchers have focused on this method and its positive results; its superiority against full lymphadenectomy has been declared in previous studies. Moreover, the role of sentinel lymph nodes biopsy in cervical cancer is still being extensively studied. Sentinel lymph nodes (SLN) method has a higher accuracy level to detect metastasis. Conclusion: Hence, it can be considered as a more appropriate alternative for pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND), which is a standard technique. Altering the method to a standard clinical method needs in-depth researches and studies.