Aims: To examine the relevance of sentinel node biopsy in patients with synovial sarcoma.
Methods: Between July 2004 and February 2007 11 consecutive patients with synovial sarcoma treated in our clinic underwent sentinel node biopsy after a preoperative lymphoscintigraphy. A handheld gamma-probe was used during the procedure to identify the sentinel nodes, which were then resected and submitted for histopathologic evaluation.
Results: At least one sentinel node was identified in every patient. Of a total of 15 sentinels, one was positive and 14 negative. The patient with the positive sentinel underwent a regional lymph node dissection and remains disease-free 17 months later. One patient developed regional nodal metastases despite negative sentinel node biopsy and died 12 months after the procedure. No biopsy-associated complications were observed.
Conclusions: Sentinel node biopsy can be successfully and safely applied to patients with synovial sarcoma. Further prospective studies are required to determine the optimal treatment approach, the false negative rate and the prognostic significance of a positive sentinel node biopsy.