Background: Sentinel lymphadenectomy has been associated with fewer complications in evaluating regional lymph nodes from melanoma or squamous cell carcinoma. It may also be employed in other malignancies such as localized cutaneous lymphoma. This is the first report demonstrating sentinel lymphadenectomy may be useful on primary cutaneous anaplastic large-cell lymphoma.
Objective: The objective was to assess the efficacy of sentinel lymphadenectomy on primary cutaneous anaplastic large-cell lymphoma.
Methods: Sentinel lymphadenectomy was performed on a patient with a localized CD30+ primary cutaneous anaplastic large-cell lymphoma. After preoperative lymphoscintigraphy, sentinel lymph node was identified by the gamma probe, excised totally, and sent for histopathologic examination.
Results: Sentinel lymphadenectomy was negative for tumor metastasis to sentinel lymph node. Total excision was performed without systemic chemotherapy or immunotherapy. This patient remained tumor-free 36 months after operation.
Conclusion: Sentinel lymphadenectomy on patients with circumscribed restricted primary cutaneous lymphoma may be beneficial for staging and prognostication of the disease.