Sentinel lymph node biopsy for head and neck Merkel cell carcinoma: a preliminary study

Eur Ann Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Dis. 2015 Apr;132(2):77-80. doi: 10.1016/j.anorl.2015.01.005. Epub 2015 Feb 9.

Abstract

Introduction: A retrospective preliminary study assessed the feasibility of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in the management of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) of the head and neck.

Patients and methods: Twelve patients with stage I or II head and neck MCC underwent SLNB over a 4-year period.

Results: Only 1 of the 12 patients had a positive SLNB. The sentinel node was not identified in 3 patients. Two of the 8 patients with negative SLNB showed regional lymph node recurrence within 2years. One patient died during follow-up.

Conclusion: Merkel cell carcinoma is an uncommon but highly aggressive pathology; management protocols have been based on small series. The role of SLNB in the management of MCC remains to be defined.

Keywords: Lymphoscintigraphy; Merkel cell carcinoma; Sentinel node biopsy.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Carcinoma, Merkel Cell / diagnostic imaging
  • Carcinoma, Merkel Cell / pathology*
  • Carcinoma, Merkel Cell / surgery
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / surgery
  • Humans
  • Lymphoscintigraphy / methods
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / diagnostic imaging
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / pathology*
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / surgery
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy*
  • Treatment Outcome