Decorative sentinel lymph node: a new entity?

Patterns of Inguinal Lymph Node Metastases in Anal Cancer: Recommendations for Elective Clinical Target Volume (CTV) Delineation

Malignant penile neoplasms are commonly squamous etiology, with the inguinal nodes being the first echelon of spread. The disease spreads to the pelvic lymph nodes only after metastases to the groin nodes, and this is the most important prognostic factor in penile carcinoma. While treatment of penile carcinoma with proven metastases to the inguinal lymph nodes mandates ilioinguinal lymph node dissection, the treatment of patients with impalpable nodes is more controversial. Overtreatment leads to excessive treatment-related morbidity in these patients, while a wait-and-see policy runs the risk of patients presenting with inguinal and distant metastases, which would have been curable at presentation. Unfortunately, no single imaging modality has been proved to be convincingly superior in the staging, and hence, management of the clinically negative groin has been subject to debate. While some high volume centers have promoted the use of dynamic sentinel lymph node biopsy, others advocate the use of the modified inguinal lymph node template to stage the groin adequately. Newer techniques such as video endoscopic inguinal lymph node dissection have been introduced as an alternative to the original radical inguinal lymphadenectomy to reduce morbidity.

Robot-assisted inguinal sentinel lymph node biopsy in primary yolk sac tumor of the vulva

Organ preservation in the treatment of penile cancer: To cut or not to cut

Penile carcinomas are rare in most developed countries; in contrast, this cancer is not infrequent in the tropical and subtropical regions of Latin America, Asia, and Africa. In addition, penile cancer is common in regions with a high prevalence of human papillomavirus infection. More than 95% of penile carcinomas are of the squamous cell type; other histologic types include basal cell carcinoma, melanoma, and sarcoma. Penile carcinoma usually spreads through lymphatic channels to the superficial and deep inguinal lymph nodes; subsequently, iliac lymph nodes are involved. The presence and extent of metastatic disease in inguinal nodes is the single most important prognostic factor in patients with penile cancer. Primary evaluation of penile cancer is based on physical examination including inguinal lymph node palpation. Ultrasound and MRI can provide information on tumor invasion of the corpora cavernosa if organ preservation is planned. Ultrasound can be used to evaluate nonpalpable inguinal lymph nodes, whereas a pelvic CT scan can be used to assess pelvic lymph nodes. Lymphoscintigraphy, preferably with SPECT/CT imaging, and subsequently sentinel lymph node biopsy is gaining popularity in clinical practice, especially in patients with nonpalpable lymph nodes; sensitivity reported for this local staging approach ranges from 70% to 86%. Assessment of distant metastases should be performed in patients with positive inguinal nodes; this includes abdomen and pelvis CT, chest X-ray, or thoracic CT. [18F]FDG PET/CT can be used for the initial staging of penile cancer with pooled sensitivity and specificity of 80.9% and 92.4%, respectively; this staging technique is particularly advocated for patients with positive lymph nodes. [18F]FDG PET/CT can also be employed to monitor the efficacy of induction chemotherapy. Follow-up of penile cancer is based mainly on clinical evaluation, while radionuclide imaging techniques have rarely been used for restaging purposes during regular follow-up.KeywordsPenile cancerImaging[18F]FDG PET/CT

A 61-year-old Japanese man had a gradually growing, red-colored nodule in his umbilicus from 3years ago. He had no symptoms such as hot flush, diarrhea or wheezing. Computed tomography detected a 3.0cm×3.0cm enhanced nodule on the umbilical portion, inguinal and axillary lymph node swelling, and peritoneal nodules. Upper and lower gastrointestinal endoscopy and cystoscopy did not show any other tumor. We resected the umbilical nodule and subjected the inguinal lymph node and peritoneal nodule to biopsy. Histopathological findings indicated that the cutaneous lesion was composed of variously sized nests that included small, monomorphic, round to polygonal cells, mainly in the dermis to the peritoneum. Mitotic figures were scant. The inguinal lymph node and peritoneal nodule were positive for metastasis. Immunohistochemistry was diffusely positive for cytokeratin (CK)-7, CD56, chromogranin A, synaptophysin, estrogen receptor-α, progesterone receptor, GATA3 and carcinoembryonic antigen, and focally positive for mammaglobin and gross cystic disease fluid protein 15. The Ki-67 labeling index was 1.5%. The patient was diagnosed with a case of low-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin (LGNECS) occurring on the umbilicus. This case exhibited distant peritoneal metastasis, as well as inguinal and axillary lymph node metastases; however, the patient is alive without chemotherapy at 23months after the first visit. LGNECS is a newly proposed, extremely rare entity that has been reported under various names, including primary cutaneous carcinoid tumor. In the present case, this tumor shows a slow-growing nature and favorable prognosis, even though it harbors metastatic potential.

The purpose of the study was a comparative research of the possibility of using the radiopharmaceuticals 99mTc-Al2O3 and 99mTc-Nanocis for visualizing sentinel lymph nodes in the experiment. Measurement of the sizes of 99mTc-Al2O3 and 99mTc-Nanocis colloidal particles was performed in seven series of radiopharmaceuticals. Pharmacokinetics of 99mTc-Al2O3 and 99mTc-Nanocis was researched on 50 white male rats. The possibility of the use of 99mTc-Al2O3 and 99mTc-Nanocis for lymphoscintigraphy was studied in the experiments on 12 white male rats. Average dynamic diameter of the sol particle was 52-77 nm for 99mTc-Al2O3 and 16.7-24.5 nm for 99mTc-Nanocis. Radiopharmaceuticals accumulated in the inguinal lymph node - at 1 hour after administration the average uptake of 99mTc-Al2O3 was 8.6% in it and the accumulation of 99mTc-Nanocis was significantly lower - 1,8% (p <0,05). In all study point average uptake of 99mTc-Al2O3 in the lymph node was significantly higher 99mTc-Nanocis accumulation. The results dynamic scintigraphic studies in rats showed that 99mTc-Al2O3 and 99mTc-Nanocis actively accumulated into the lymphatic system. By using 99mTc-Al2O3 inguinal lymph node was determined in 5 minutes after injection and clearly visualize in all the animals in the 15th minute, when the accumulation became more than 1% of the administered dose. Further observation indicated that the 99mTc-Al2O3 accumulation reaches a plateau in a lymph node (average 10.5%) for 2 hour study and then its accumulation remains practically at the same level, slightly increasing to 12% at 24 hours. In the case of 99mTc-Nanocis inguinal lymph node visualized in all animals for 15 minutes when it was accumulated on the average 1.03% of the administered dose. Plateau of 99mTc-Nanocis accumulation in the lymph node (average 2.05%) occurred at 2 hour of the study and remained almost on the same level (in average 2.3%) to 24 hours. Thus, the experimental study of a new domestic radiopharmaceutical showed that the 99mTc-Al2O3 several times actively accumulates in the lymph nodes as compared to imported analogue and its practical application will facilitate intraoperative identification of sentinel lymph nodes.

Ultrasound has been used as a diagnostic tool in normal mammary glands and mammary tumors of several species. This study aims to describe the B-mode and Doppler ultrasound features of the mammary glands and draining lymph nodes in 32 adult female cats. Group 1 (G1) consisted of 22 cats without changes in the mammary glands. The average age was 45 ± 25.09 months, where 63.6% (n = 14) were neutered and 31.8% (n = 7) had received progestin at some point for reproductive control. Mammary gland structure was predominantly hypoechoic and homogeneous, with well-defined margins. The average thickness was 1.52 ± 1.59 mm, although it may be affected by estrus, pregnancy, and lactation. In G1, 100% of lymph nodes were homogeneous, 98% were hypoechoic, and 100% were with well-defined margins and hilar vascularization. Group 2 (G2) consisted of 10 cats with mammary nodules. The average age was 88.8 ± 40.5 months, and 70% were intact and all had already received progestin. Ultrasound demonstrated enlarged mammary glands, with nodules of different textures clinically, mainly affecting the abdominal mammary glands (61%). In 33.33%, there were visible mammary ducts. Only 54.17% were homogeneous, 95.83% were hypoechoic, and the margins were regular in 52.08%. Lymph nodes in abnormal mammary chains may present changes in size, shape, echotexture, and echogenicity. Ultrasound examination of the mammary glands and lymph nodes are possible to evaluate the entire mammary chain as well the superficial inguinal and axillary lymph nodes for abnormalities in the feline.

The surgical treatment of inguinal lymph node (ILN) metastases secondary to anorectal adenocarcinoma remains controversial. This study aimed to clarify the surgical treatment and management of ILN metastasis according to its classification. This retrospective, multi-centre, observational study included patients with synchronous or metachronous ILN metastases who were diagnosed with rectal or anal canal adenocarcinoma between January 1997 and December 2011. Treatment outcomes were analysed according to recurrence and prognosis. Among 1181 consecutively enrolled patients who received treatment for rectal or anal canal adenocarcinoma at 20 referral hospitals, 76 (6.4%) and 65 (5.5%) had synchronous and metachronous ILN metastases, respectively. Among 141 patients with ILN metastasis, differentiated carcinoma, solitary ILN metastasis and ILN dissection were identified as independent predictive factors associated with a favourable prognosis. No significant difference was found in the frequency of recurrence after ILN dissection between patients with synchronous (80.6%) or metachronous (81.0%) ILN metastases. Patients who underwent R0 resection of the primary tumour and ILN dissection had a 5-year survival rate of 41.3% after ILN dissection (34.1% and 53.1% for patients with synchronous and metachronous ILN metastases, respectively, P=0.55). The ILN can be appropriately classified as a regional lymph node in rectal and anal canal adenocarcinoma. Moreover, aggressive ILN dissection might be effective in improving the prognosis of low rectal and anal canal adenocarcinoma with ILN metastases; thus, prophylactic ILN dissection is unnecessary.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) represents almost 80-85% of lung cancer cases. It is the most frequent malignancy after skin cancer. The therapeutic options for stage IV of disease consider histology, molecular characteristics, age, performance status, comorbidities, and not in the lust, patient�s option. This paper presents the case of a male patient, 73 years old, smoker, presented and treated in May 2016 in the Sf. Ap. Andrei Emergency Clinical Hospital Galati. The first sign of disease was inguinal and obturator right lymph node metastases whose histopathological test revealed metastases from malignant melanoma. Immunohistochemical tests (IHC) indicated undifferentiated carcinoma with lung as starting point, (Ck7 (+), TTF1 (+)). Thorax, abdominal and pelvic computed tomography (CT) imaging not evidenced space replacement processes in lung, but with mediastinal, right obturator and inguinal adenopathy. From personal pathological history we retain basocellular carcinoma in lumbar region, treated with surgery in 2009. It was initiated palliative chemotherapy and radiotherapy with remission of obturator and inguinal adenopathy, and at 9 months from diagnosis the Positron Emission Tomography (PET-CT) evidenced primary lung tumor situated in right superior lobe (RSL). At the present, patient is alive performing palliative chemotherapy. This case presented diagnostic and treatment issues, being a challenge for multidisciplinary team. We are mentioning the paucity of literature data regarding cases of primary tumors situated upper diaphragm which metastases in inguinal lymph nodes.

BILATERAL INGUINAL LYMPHADENOPATHY AS THE EXTRAPULMONARY PRESENTATION OF PULMONARY SARCOIDOSIS: A RARE CLINICAL PRESENTATION

IntroductionNeutrophils play a key role in the early response to a diverse range of infectious and inflammatory stimuli. However, persistent neutrophilic inflammation can result in collateral tissue damage, as evident...

Objective To retrospectively analyze the therapeutic effect of wide surgical excision combined with low-dose adjuvant interferon-alpha 2b on cutaneous malignant melanoma.Methods A total of 32 patients with cutaneous malignant melanoma received wide surgical excision after preoperative examination and staging.The excisions were performed with a margin measuring 1-2 cm from the visible lesions or biopsy scars.Surgical modalities included direct suture after excision(4 patients),dactylolysis or toe amputation(6 patients),free skin grafting(15 patients),random skin flap transfer(3 patients)and pedicle skin flap transfer(4 patients).Lymph nodes were selectively dissected in 9 patients with regional transfer of lymph nodes,and inguinal lymph nodes were cleared away in 2 patients.One week after the operation,patients received adjuvant therapy with subcutaneous injection of interferon-alpha 2b(3 million IU,thrice per week)for one to three years.Results Preoperative tumor staging revealed 21 cases of cutaneous malignant melanoma at stage Ⅱ,and 11 cases at stage Ⅲ.The excisions healed by the first stage in all the patients.Up to June 2011,2 patients had been lost to follow up,5 patients with stage Ⅲ melanoma had died.Survival was observed in all of the 4 patients receiving 1-year follow up,12 of 13 patients receiving 1-3 year follow up,5 of 7 patients receiving 3-5 year follow up,and 4 of 6 receiving 5-year follow up.Of the 25 surviving patients,regional lymph node metastasis was observed in 8 patients,which developed within 2 years after the operation in 2 patients.The adjuvant therapy with interferon-alpha 2b lasted 3 years in 8 patients,and more than 1 year in 11 patients.Side effects were mild.Conclusion Wide surgical excision plus low-dose interferon-alpha 2b is effective for the treatment of stage Ⅱ and Ⅲ cutaneous malignant melanoma with lower local recurrence and higher survival rate. Key words: Melanoma; Surgical procedures, operative; Interferon alfa-2b

Background Marjolin's ulcer or scar carcinoma is a rare disease arising from the conversion of chronic scar into malignancy. Studies show Marjolin's ulcer squamous cell carcinoma has more chances of lymph nodal metastasis and is more aggressive with a worse survival rate. To date, no established guidelines exist for managing regional lymph nodes in cases of Marjolin's ulcer with clinically N0 nodes. Observation vs elective node dissection remains an option. In developing countries, long-term follow-up is not consistently leading to the risk of patients being kept on observation for regional nodes; presenting late with inoperable regional nodes is possible. This study aims to identify clinicopathological factors of lower extremity Marjolin's ulcer, which are associated with a high risk of inguinal lymph node metastasis. Identifying such risk factors may help provide a rationale for performing elective nodal dissection instead of observation in high-risk cases. Material and methods All clinically N0 lower extremity Marjolin's ulcer cases, more than 3 cm in size, treated at King George's Medical University, India, during the last five years, have been included in this study. Demographic, clinical, and pathological data of eligible patients were retrieved from institutional records. Various clinical and pathological factors were studied and correlated with lymph node positivity, and the strength of the correlation was tested using statistical methods. Factors correlated strongly with inguinal lymph node positivity were identified as high-risk factors. Results A total of 66 patients with lower extremity Marjolin's ulcer had no preoperative pathologically confirmed inguinal lymph nodes documented by ultrasonography and fine needle aspiration cytology. All patients underwent surgery for primary, followed by elective, inguinal lymph nodal dissection. The majority were males (n=51/66; 71%), and the most common age group was 30-50 years (n=40/66; 60%). The leg was the most common site (n=31/66; 47%). The least common site was below the ankle (n=14/66; 22%). Maximum dimension ranged from 3 cm to >15 cm, with the majority between 6 and 10 cm (n=40/66; 56%). Extension beyond the scar site was present in 24% (n=15/66) of patients. Most of the lesions in this study were well differentiated, 85% (n=56/66), and moderately differentiated, 15% (n=10/66), and none of the lesions was poorly differentiated. Perineural invasion, lymphovascular invasion, tumor necrosis, and extension below subcutaneous tissue were present in 82%, 14%, 28%, and 26%, respectively. Of 66 patients, 21.2% (n=14/66) had pathological nodal disease after elective nodal dissection. Perineural invasion (p<0.0001), depth of lesion (p<0.0001), and tumor necrosis (p=0.0002) had a statistically significant correlation with node metastasis. On ROC curve analysis, 7.5 cm was the cut-off size, above which chances of nodal metastasis increased significantly. Conclusions Marjolin's ulcer patients with no preoperative positive nodes may be segregated into high-risk and low-risk groups as per their risk of harboring cancer cells in regional lymph nodes. Those having one or more of the following risk factors should be classified as high risk: dimension more than 7.5 cm, presence of perineural invasion, tumor necrosis, and deep tumors extending below subcutaneous tissue. We recommend that such patients undergo prophylactic regional lymph node dissection instead of observation during primary surgery.

Prise en charge ganglionnaire dans le carcinome épidermoïde du pénis : revue de la littérature par le comité de cancérologie de l’Association française d’urologie – groupe organes génitaux externes (CCAFU–OGE)