Sentinel lymph node mapping in the modern management of gynaecological malignancy

Abstract

Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy is an alternative to systematic lymphadenectomy in the surgical staging of gynaecological malignancy. It is recommended in the management of vulval cancer and is increasingly used in endometrial and cervical cancer. SLN failed mapping algorithms require that side‐specific lymphadenectomy should be performed in the case of failed mapping, and that suspicious lymph nodes are removed. Ultrastaging protocols improve detection of lymph‐node metastasis and should be used for the pathological processing of SLNs.