Abstract
Background and Objectives
The sentinel lymph node (SN) theory has the potential to change the trend of surgery for gastric cancer that is based on wide resection of the stomach with dissection of regional lymph nodes. However, feasibility tests of SN mapping procedures in gastric cancers with analysis of micrometastasis are rare. This study aimed to estimate the clinical usefulness of SN mapping using a dual procedure with dyeβ and gamma probeβguided techniques for gastric cancers, based on immunohistochemical staining (IHC) analysis.
Methods
SN mapping procedures were performed on 41 patients with T1βT2 gastric cancer, and gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy followed. All SNs and nonβSNs obtained from the patients were tested by IHC analysis using antiβcytokeratin antibodies.
Results
Using the dual mapping procedure, SNs were detected in all patients (100%). SN was positive in all patients with lymph node metastasis except in one with nonβsolid type poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma with marked lymphatic permeation, thus achieving an accuracy rate of 98%.
Conclusions
The method was accurate in predicting nodal status and could be an indicator for less invasive treatment in patients with gastric cancer. J. Surg. Oncol. 2004;87:32β38. Β© 2004 WileyβLiss, Inc.