Sentinel Node Biopsy for Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer of the Head and Neck

Rosh Sethi; Kevin Emerick

doi:10.1016/j.otc.2020.11.005

Sentinel Node Biopsy for Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer of the Head and Neck

Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2021 Apr;54(2):295-305. doi: 10.1016/j.otc.2020.11.005.

Authors

Rosh Sethi¹, Kevin Emerick²

Affiliations

¹ Brigham and Women's Hospital, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
² Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, 243 Charles Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA. Electronic address: Kevin_emerick@meei.harvard.edu.

PMID: 33743888
DOI: 10.1016/j.otc.2020.11.005

Abstract

Sentinel lymph node biopsy has the potential to impact regional control and survival for high-risk cutaneous malignancy. The outcome of sentinel lymph node biopsy is a potential guide for treatment and surveillance. The population of high-risk nonmelanoma patients that will benefit from sentinel lymph node biopsy remains to be determined. Any cutaneous malignancy with a greater than 10% risk of occult metastasis should be considered for sentinel lymph node biopsy or active surveillance. Localized cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma lesions with multiple high-risk features and nearly all patients with localized Merkel cell carcinoma should be considered for sentinel lymph node biopsy.

Keywords: Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma; Merkel cell carcinoma; Sebaceous cell carcinoma; Sentinel lymph node biopsy.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* / surgery
Head and Neck Neoplasms*
Humans
Lymph Nodes / surgery
Lymphatic Metastasis
Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy
Skin Neoplasms* / surgery