Sentinel European Node Trial (SENT): 3-year results of sentinel node biopsy in oral cancer

Publication

Sentinel European Node Trial (SENT): 3-year results of sentinel node biopsy in oral cancer

Journal Paper/Review - Nov 18, 2015

McGurk Mark, Donner Davide, Grandi Cesare, Nollevaux Marie-Cecile, Lawson Georges, Tartaglione Girolamo, Rahimi Siavash, Vigili Maurizio Giovanni, Jacome Manuel, Moreira Augusto, Bragantini Emma, Dequanter Didier, Sloan Philip, Sassoon Isabel, Leroux Agnes, Mastronicola Romina, Dolivet Giles, Sesenna Erinco, Silini Enrico M, Poli Tito, Lothaire Philippe, Santamaría-Zuazua Joseba, Barbier Luis, Bilde Anders, von Buchwald Christian, Krogdahl Annelise, Bakholdt Vivi, Sorensen Jens Ahm, Huber Gerhard F, Broglie Däppen Martina, Haerle Stephan K, Stöckli Sandro, Sebbesen Lars R, Odell Edward, Amézaga Julio Alvarez, Junquera Gutiérrez Luis Manuel, Fresno Forcelledo Manuel Florentino, Villarreal Pedro M, Flach Géke B, Bloemena Elisabeth, de Bree Remco, O'Doherty Michael, Gurney Benjamin, Schilling Clare

Citation

McGurk M, Donner D, Grandi C, Nollevaux M, Lawson G, Tartaglione G, Rahimi S, Vigili M, Jacome M, Moreira A, Bragantini E, Dequanter D, Sloan P, Sassoon I, Leroux A, Mastronicola R, Dolivet G, Sesenna E, Silini E, Poli T, Lothaire P, Santamaría-Zuazua J, Barbier L, Bilde A, von Buchwald C, Krogdahl A, Bakholdt V, Sorensen J, Huber G, Broglie Däppen M, Haerle S, Stöckli S, Sebbesen L, Odell E, Amézaga J, Junquera Gutiérrez L, Fresno Forcelledo M, Villarreal P, Flach G, Bloemena E, de Bree R, O'Doherty M, Gurney B, Schilling C. Sentinel European Node Trial (SENT): 3-year results of sentinel node biopsy in oral cancer. Eur J Cancer 2015; 51:2777-84.

Type

Journal Paper/Review (English)

Journal

Eur J Cancer 2015; 51

Publication Date

Nov 18, 2015

Issn Electronic

1879-0852

Pages

2777-84

Brief description/objective

PURPOSE
Optimum management of the N0 neck is unresolved in oral cancer. Sentinel node biopsy (SNB) can reliably detect microscopic lymph node metastasis. The object of this study was to establish whether the technique was both reliable in staging the N0 neck and a safe oncological procedure in patients with early-stage oral squamous cell carcinoma.

METHODS
An European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer-approved prospective, observational study commenced in 2005. Fourteen European centres recruited 415 patients with radiologically staged T1-T2N0 squamous cell carcinoma. SNB was undertaken with an average of 3.2 nodes removed per patient. Patients were excluded if the sentinel node (SN) could not be identified. A positive SN led to a neck dissection within 3 weeks. Analysis was performed at 3-year follow-up.

RESULTS
An SN was found in 99.5% of cases. Positive SNs were found in 23% (94 in 415). A false-negative result occurred in 14% (15 in 109) of patients, of whom eight were subsequently rescued by salvage therapy. Recurrence after a positive SNB and subsequent neck dissection occurred in 22 patients, of which 16 (73%) were in the neck and just six patients were rescued. Only minor complications (3%) were reported following SNB. Disease-specific survival was 94%. The sensitivity of SNB was 86% and the negative predictive value 95%.

CONCLUSION
These data show that SNB is a reliable and safe oncological technique for staging the clinically N0 neck in patients with T1 and T2 oral cancer. EORTC Protocol 24021: Sentinel Node Biopsy in the Management of Oral and Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.