| Theme | Clinical Application of Sentinel Node Concept for Carcinoma of the Alimentary Tract | |
|---|---|---|
| Title | Sentinel Node Concept | |
| Publish Date | 2007/07 | |
| Author | Masahiro Hiratsuka | Department of Surgery, Itami City Hospital |
| Author | Isao Miyashiro | Department of Surgery, Osaka Medical Center for Cancer and Cardiovascular Diseases |
| Author | Osamu Takayama | Department of Surgery, Itami City Hospital |
| Author | Yosuke Akiyama | Department of Surgery, Itami City Hospital |
| Author | Fumihiko Kimura | Department of Surgery, Itami City Hospital |
| Author | Masayuki Yamamoto | Department of Surgery, Itami City Hospital |
| [ Summary ] | The sentinel node (SN) concept is not new, but its potential surgical applications were not fully appreciated until the landmark report by Morton and colleagues in 1992. Numerous investigations have recently proved the importance of SN detection for various malignant tumours. In “TNM Classification of Malignant Tumours Sixth Edition”, SN is defined in the following way : “The sentinel lymph node is the first lymph node to receive lymphatic drainage from a primary tumour”. It goes on to describe the sentinel node concept as follows “If it contains metastatic tumour this indicates that other lymph nodes may contain tumour. If it does not contain metastatic tumour, other lymph nodes are not likely to contain tumour. Occasionally there is more than one sentinel lymph node”. The feasibility and diagnostic reliability of SN biopsy of gastrointestinal malignancies are still unclear and controversial. |
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