[Extrapelvic sentinel lymph nodes in cervical cancer: a review]

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency of extrapelvic sentinel lymph node in patients with cervical cancer.

Materials and methods: We performed systematic searches (Medline, Pubmed; up to April 2010) to determine the route of lymphatic spread in cervical cancer and to review results on extrapelvic sentinel lymph nodes.

Results: According to our search, 2.51% of detected sentinel lymph nodes in patients with cervical cancer were extrapelvic: 2% in the inguinal chain and 98% in the lower paraaortic area.

Discussion and conclusion: The unusual localizations of sentinel lymph nodes impose to the gynaecologic surgeons to be hardened in performing lymph node dissection in all the territories potentially affected.