Sentinel node mapping in colorectal cancer: is it worth the effort?

ABSTRACT

Background: Lymphatic mapping [LM] with sentinel node [SN] biopsy is an interesting recent development in surgical oncology. This approach has the potential of accurately identifying the first lymph node [or nodes] that drain primary tumors. These nodes are the most likely to harbor metastatic or micrometastatic disease. Sentinel node mapping and the pathologic search for micrometastasis may therefore increase the accuracy of the pathologic staging, which may alter the further management and the prognosis