Sentinel lymph node mapping in early-stage cervical cancer: Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: The value of sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping for early-stage cervical cancer remains controversial. Therefore, we collected data to investigate the feasibility and diagnostic accuracy of SLN in patients with early-stage (IA-IIA) cervical cancer. METHODS: We searched Embase, PubMed, and the Cochrane Library databases issued before June 1, 2020. The sample size of the selected study was at least 10 patients with early-stage (IA-IIA) cervical cancer, the pooled detection rates and the separate detection rate (overall detection rate, bilateral detection rate) using blue dye with Tc, technetium 99 (Tc) and indocyanine green (ICG) technique of early-stage cervical cancer was reported. R-3.6.1 software was used to evaluate pooled detection rate and sensitivity. RESULTS: Two thousand one hundred sixty-four patients included for analysis in 28 studies ranging from 12 to 405 patients. The combined overall detection rate of SLN mapping was 95% with a 72% pooled bilateral detection rate. The sensitivity of the combined overall detection rate of SLN mapping was 94.99% as well as a sensitivity of 72.43% bilateral detection rate. The overall detection rate of SLN was 96% for blue dye with Tc, 95% for Tc, 98% for ICG technique. The bilateral detection rate of SLN was 76% for blue dye with Tc, 63% for Tc, 85% for ICG technique. The sensitivity of the overall detection rate of SLN mapping was 97.76% as well as a sensitivity of 84.96% bilateral detection rate of ICG technique. CONCLUSION: In early-stage cervical cancer, overall detection rate of SLN mapping is elevated while bilateral detection rate is lower. The overall detection rate (98%) as well as bilateral rate (85%) of ICG seems to be a better SLN mapping technique among the method of SLN mapping (using blue dye with Tc, Tc or ICG). We believe SLN mapping may be considered contemporary technique which could provide additional benefits over traditional pelvic lymphadenectomy. While promising results in SLN mapping has been found, larger patient samples, including randomized studies, are required at the same time.