Status of the sentinel lymph node in patients with endometrial cancer stage I-II

Abstract

Endometrial cancer (EC) is the most common gynecological cancer in developed countries. In literature, there are discordant data regarding the therapeutic value of systematic lymphadenectomy whereas the importance of lymph node status for determining prognosis and the need for adjuvant treatment is undoubted. Given the low risk of lymph node metastases in stage I-II of EC and the significant surgical and postoperative risks when performing a complete pelvic lymphadenectomy, the surgical approach in these patients is controversial, ranging from no nodal evaluation to comprehensive pelvic and aortic lymphadenectomy. The recent introduction of sentinel node detection represents the mid-way between the execution and omission of node dissection in EC patients. Indeed, the sentinel node mapping has rapidly emerged as an alternative to complete lymphadenectomy to reduce morbidity. In the present research, we discuss the role of sentinel node mapping in the surgical management of EC in early stage. Results of study on SLN in EC in early stages seem to be promising, but only a small series have been published so far.