Sentinel node mapping in vulvar cancers: report of two cases and literature review

Abstract

Vulvar cancer is a rare gynecological malignancy with mainly lymphatic spread. Sentinel node mapping plays an important role in the management of this gynecological malignancy. In the current study, we reported our experience in sentinel node mapping of vulvar cancer and review the literature accordingly. Since the introduction of sentinel node mapping to the surgical oncology community of our university in 2004, we had two operable vulvar cancer patients who were candidate for sentinel node mapping for inguinal lymph node staging. In the current study, we reported these two cases in details and a brief review of literature on sentinel node mapping in vulvar cancer was done. We specifically discussed the overall accuracy, importance of blue dye injection, learning curve effect, frozen section, excisional biopsy and location of the tumors. Overall sentinel node mapping is a safe and effective method for inguinal lymph node staging in vulvar cancers. In order to perform sentinel node mapping efficiently, paying attention to the details is of utmost importance.