THE ACCURACY OF SENTINEL LYMPH NODE POSITIVITY IN PATIENTS WITH CUTANEOUS SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA

Cenk Demirdover, Alper Geyik, Haluk Vayvada, Mustafa Yilmaz

Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery of Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, Turkey

Introduction: Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) accounts for approximately 20% of the non-melanoma cancers and is the second most common skin cancer after basal cell carcinoma. In 85%of the cases, the first metastasis site is the regional lymph nodes. However, due to lack of evidence, predictivity and utility of SLNB in cSCC remain controversial. This study aims to determine the ratio of sentinel lymph node positivity and the accuracy of this technique in high-risk cSCC patients. 

Materials and methods: The study group included 164 SCC patients who were admitted to our clinic between January 2014 and January 2019. Patient data including age and clinical history, tumor localization and diameter, and pathological diagnoses were recorded from the database.

Results: Out of the 164 patients in the study group, 124 (75.6%) were men and 40 (24.4%) were women. Tumor diameter was the mot common (92.7%) independent criteria for local recurrence and metastasis. Twelve patients who had been identified with perineural/vascular involvement in pathological examination all had diagnosed SLNB positivity. SLNB positivity was identified in 24 (14.6%) patients. 

Conclusion: Whilst SCC is one of the most important skin cancers, the accuracy, and indications of the SLNB are not well documented. Although there are many studies in the literature, there is no consensus in reporting the advantages of SLNB in patients with SCC. In this study, we believe that SLNB may reduce the potential morbidity of elective lymph node dissection, reduce the number of unnecessary regional LN dissections, and may improve the quality of life.