No Role for Sentinel Lymph Node Evaluation in Colon Cancer

This technique does not result in better staging accuracy.

Sentinel lymph-node (SLN) evaluation is a valuable diagnostic tool in breast cancer and melanoma; however, the role for SLN evaluation in colon cancer has yet to be established. To determine whether SLN evaluation improves detection of colon cancer metastases, researchers prospectively enrolled 120 patients who underwent surgery from September 1998 through April 2006 at a single center in Texas.

Colon cancer patients underwent resection and SLN mapping with 1% isosulfan blue and ^99mTc-sulfur-colloid injection. SLNs were evaluated by thin-section hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining for pancytokeratin and MOC-31. SLNs were identified in 119 patients (99%). Nodal metastases were detected with H&E staining in …

Reviewing Author

Henry Mark Kuerer, MD, PhD, FACS

Disclosures

Speaker's BureauPhysicians’ Education Resource, LLC

RoyaltiesMcGraw-Hill Professional; UpToDate, Inc.

Editorial BoardsAnnals of Surgical Oncology

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Breast Surgeons (Chair, Publications Committee)

Henry Mark Kuerer, MD, PhD, FACS

Disclosures

Speaker's BureauPhysicians’ Education Resource, LLC

RoyaltiesMcGraw-Hill Professional; UpToDate, Inc.

Editorial BoardsAnnals of Surgical Oncology

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Breast Surgeons (Chair, Publications Committee)