A less invasive technique for vulvar cancer
A less invasive technique for vulvar cancer
30/3/2014
New research showed that a less invasive technique for vulvar cancer reduced complications while maintaining a low rate of future occurrence. The technique involves identifying and removing just the sentinel lymph node.
The researchers, Drs. R. G. Moore, D. Roque, C. McCourt, A. Stuckey, P. A. DiSilvestro, J. Sung, M. Steinhoff, C. Granai III, and K. Robison (from Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island's Program in Women's Oncology and Division of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine) presented their work at the annual meeting of the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists (SGO) in Tampa.
The study is entitled "Isolated sentinel lymph node biopsy with conservative management in women diagnosed with vulvar cancer." Using radioactive dye and blue dye, gynecologic oncology surgeons are able to identify and remove just the sentinel nodes, which is the first place cancer will go.
"The object of this study was to examine the sentinel lymph node alone in women with squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva and evaluate their recurrence in the groin and any complication rates," Dr. Moore explains. "We discovered that removing just the sentinel node had decreased complication while maintaining a low rate of further occurrence of malignancy.
"This should be considered an option for women with squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva."
Study details
The study, the largest prospective trial on sentinel lymph node dissection among women with vulvar cancer in the United States, included 73 women with 69 undergoing sentinel node dissection. Fifty seven of those women were managed conservatively. Three experienced groin recurrences, for a recurrence rate of 5.2%.
Women whose sentinel node tested negative for metastasis were followed clinically without further treatment. Women with metastasis to the sentinel lymph node underwent full groin node dissection and were then followed by standard treatment protocols.
Source: Medical News Today: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/274680.php