Current Techniques for Detecting Sentinel Lymph Nodes in Vulvar Cancer

Introduction. Vulvar cancer belongs to the group of rare neoplasms and accounts for about 4% of all gynecological malignant tumours. One of the important barriers to the spread of the tumour cell population is the lymph nodes. Most oncologists recognize the existence of the so-called sentinel lymph nodes. A proper assessment of the status of this node makes it possible to predict the extent of the spread of cancer, which in turn secures a better surgical treatment outcome.

Materials and methods. 87 patients with vulvar malignant neoplasms received surgical treatment in 2015-2018 at the Department of Oncogynecology of the Republican Oncology Center. Vulvectomy was performed on 19 patients with verified vulvar cancer; sentinel lymph node detection was employed. The methods used were the contrast lymphography and indirect intraoperative radioisotope lymphoscintigraphy. This resulted in the minimal number of postoperative complications recorded.

Results. The scope of surgical treatment for vulvar cancer was optimized based on sentinel lymph node verification.

Conclusions. Detection of sentinel lymph nodes in vulvar cancer is an effective method of planning for the scope of the surgery. Using this method reduces the number of postoperative complications. The reduction of the number of postoperative complications improves the patients’ quality of life.

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