[Sentinel node biopsy in breast cancer]. / La technique du ganglion sentinelle dans le cancer du sein: quelques considérations récentes.

As compared to conventional axillary dissection, the sentinel node technique is accompanied by reduced morbidity and shorter hospital stay. Based on available data, the use of this technique does not seem to yield higher rates of axillary recurrence. A combination of both radioisotope detection and blue dye increases the identification rate, while also reducing false-negative rate. Surgical results are optimized when preoperative lymphoscintigraphy mapping is obtained in addition to peroperative probe detection. Considering the site of injection, the subareolar injection can be easy to apply even in case of non-palpable tumours, and gives higher count rates. However, the intraparenchymal, peritumoral, injection is necessary to evidence cases of extra-axillary drainage (internal mammary, infra- or supraclavicular) that is present in about 20% of patients. With the advent of hybrid cameras (SPECT-CT), the topography of these extra-axillary nodes can be given with high precision. Use of the sentinel node technique has been accompanied by an increase in the percent of patients with node involvement, due to an increased detection of micrometastases inferior or equal to 2 mm. Following an overview of basic principles, and of the main results with the sentinel node technique we focus the discussion on several points that are still open to debate, such as: 1) which group of patients can benefit from the sentinel node technique? 2) What is the optimal methodology? 3) What is the prognostic significance of micrometastases and of isolated tumour cells? 4) What attention should be given to extra-axillary drainage?

[Advantages of PET-CT in the work-up of cervical cancer]. / Intérêts de la TEP-TDM pour le cancer du col de l'utérus.

The present paper addresses the advantages and limits of PET-CT in the work-up of cervical cancer. PET-CT is not to be overlooked in initial staging. It is useful to assess involvement of pelvic and lumbar lymph nodes. It can improve staging accuracy and help guide initial treatment such as optimisation of radiation therapy fields. Given its limited spatial resolution however, PET does not seem so adequate to document tumours less than 5 mm in diameter. It is not warranted for staging carcinoma in situ (FIGO stage 0) or preclinical carcinoma (FIGO stage 1A1 and 1A2). Furthermore MRI performances are best as far as local extension and tumour volume measurement are concerned. PET brings prognostic information. High initial uptake in tumour tissue or persistent increased uptake at completion of treatment indicates rather poor prognosis. PET is useful to evaluate therapy, but its exact role in this issue remains to be further refined. Finally, PET-CT can document early recurrence of disease.