A prospective pilot study on the safety and feasibility of sentinel node biopsy in the neck management of conventionally assessed lymph node negative sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma

Sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma (SNSCC) is one of the rare malignancies in the head and neck region. Therefore, there are only few evidence-based therapy recommendations for this entity. The development of lymph node metastases in SNSCC is associated with a poorer overall survival rate. At initial diagnosis, however, only about 10 %  of patients have lymph node metastases. In another 12 % , lymph node relapse occurs in the further course of the disease. To date, there are no clear recommendations for the treatment of a patient without clinically suspect lymph nodes (cN0). The technique of sentinel lymph node biopsy is used as a sparing and minimally invasive alternative for tumors of other medical specialties, but also for carcinomas of the oral cavity.

The presented study aims to clarify whether sentinel lymph node biopsy is feasible for SNSCC and whether it detects occult metastases. The design consists of a single-arm pilot study in which 25 patients will be included. Only patients with SNSCC without clinical lymph node involvement will be included. Initially a PET-MRI will be performed as a novel imaging modality. In addition to the resection of the primary tumor, a sentinel lymph node biopsy will be performed. The respective lymph nodes are marked with radiocolloids. The primary objectives include the safety of the procedure and the detection rate of occult metastases. Secondary endpoints include recurrence-free survival and the feasibility of an additional PET-MRI examination prior to therapy. The results of the study should enable the design of a randomized, multicenter study. Patient recruitment for the pilot study has been ongoing since October 2020.

Poster-PDF A-1087.pdf

DSZ-HNO

Conflict of interest

Der Erstautor gibt keinen Interessenskonflikt an.

Publication History

Article published online:
13 May 2021