Accuracy of sentinel lymph node biopsy in accessing neck node status in head and neck malignancies

Abstract

Head and neck malignancies includes neoplasm arising from oral cavity, salivary glands, pharynx, larynx and nasal cavity. Among them oral cavity cancers are most common. In India, oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC) is amongst the most common malignacies and a leading cause of cancer related death.1-3

Oral malignancies metastasize to cervical lymph nodes commonly. Presence of metastatic cervical lymphadenopathy (specially with extra nodal extension ENE) is associated with poor prognosis. Presence of metastatic cervical lymph nodes on one side of neck reduces the 5-year survival rate by 50% and if present on both sides of neck survival further drops by 25%. Therefore, detection of metastatic cervical lymphadenopathy is of utmost importance for cancer staging and management.4,5

Surgical management of lymphatic basin in oral cavity cancers has been evolved from radical(RND) to modified (MRND) and selective neck dissection (SND) in order to reduce the morbidity associated with radical procedure and to preserve as much function as possible and quality of life while still achieving Oncologically sound results.6.