Carcinoma, Vulvar cancer, Biopsy, Metastatic lymph

BACKGROUND: Nodal involvement is one of the most significant prognostic factors in early-stage vulvar cancer. AIMS: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of sentinel lymph node (SLN) detection in early-stage vulvar cancer and to describe the characteristics of metastatic lymph node involvement. METHODS: Of 23 women with early-stage squamous cell vulvar cancer included in the study, five had lateral lesions and 18 had midline lesions. SLN detection was performed by using a radioactive tracer and blue dye, followed by radical vulvectomy or radical wide excision with uni/bilateral inguinofemoral lymphadenectomy, depending on tumour size and localization. SLNs were subsequently examined with haematoxylin-eosin and immunohistochemistry. CONCLUSION: The SLN biopsy performed by an experienced team is a feasible method, with high accuracy in patients with early-stage vulvar cancer. Prognostic value of micrometastases should be confirmed in further studies.