Sentinel node disection in the treatment of early stages of vulvar cancer.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the results of sentinel lymph node (SLN) detection in the initial stages of vulvar cancer and the recurrences that may appear. STUDY DESIGN: 76 patients with vulvar carcinoma, Stage I and II. Between 2000 and 2010, identification of the SLN was performed with a perilesional injection of Tc99m and vital dye. Ninety sentinel lymph nodes were found. They were removed separately, and lymphadenectomy was performed depending on the involved areas. Vulvar tumour was also removed. RESULTS: 76 patients were included in the study; 20 (22.22%) out of 90 SLNs presented metastases and 70 (77.77%) did not. There were no false negatives, and the sensitivity and negative predictive value reached 100%. Thirty-six months after treatment, one patient presented recurrence with a negative SLN, and two with positive SLNs. CONCLUSION: Biopsy of the SLN is a reasonable alternative to lymphadenectomy in patients with vulvar cancer Stage I and II.