Tumor burden of sentinel lymph node metastasis in Merkel cell carcinoma

Corresponding Author

Virve Koljonen

Department of Plastic Surgery, Helsinki University Hospital, Töölö Hospital, Helsinki, Finland

Virve Koljonen, MD, PhD, Department of Plastic Surgery, Helsinki University Hospital, Töölö Hospital, P.O. Box 266, FIN-00029 HUS, Helsinki, Finland
Tel: +358 50 427 1983
Fax: +358 9 471 87 217
e-mail: [email protected]Search for more papers by this author

Tom Böhling,

Tom Böhling

Department of Pathology, Helsinki University and HUSLAB, Helsinki, Finland

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Susanna Virolainen,

Susanna Virolainen

Department of Pathology, Helsinki University and HUSLAB, Helsinki, Finland

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Virve Koljonen,

Corresponding Author

Virve Koljonen

Department of Plastic Surgery, Helsinki University Hospital, Töölö Hospital, Helsinki, Finland

Tom Böhling,

Tom Böhling

Department of Pathology, Helsinki University and HUSLAB, Helsinki, Finland

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Susanna Virolainen,

Susanna Virolainen

Department of Pathology, Helsinki University and HUSLAB, Helsinki, Finland

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First published: 24 February 2011

https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0560.2011.01690.x

Citations: 19

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Abstract

Background: The applicability of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) for staging has been recognized in association with Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). However, the concept of tumor burden with respect to MCC involving sentinel lymph nodes has not been analyzed. Our aim was to assess tumor burden in the sentinel lymph nodes of MCC patients.

Methods and Results: This retrospective study analyzes 15 consecutive patients and 57 sentinel lymph nodes. Immunohistochemical re-evaluation of the sentinel lymph nodes was performed. Positive sentinel node metastases were classified according to type of invasion, size and tumor burden. Occult metastases were observed in 36% of the patients. Maximal sizes of the metastatic foci and tumor burden in the lymph nodes were larger than what has been reported in melanoma and breast cancer sentinel lymph nodes. The distribution of metastatic cells in the involved lymph nodes was mostly combination type with only one marginal sinus type. False-negative lymph nodes were found in 30% of the patients. Immunohistochemical re-evaluation decreased this figure to 22%.

Conclusions: Metastatic foci and tumor burden in positive sentinel lymph nodes seem to be larger in MCC than in melanoma and breast cancer sentinel nodes. Statistical analysis showed no correlation between tumor burden and survival. In the context of MCC, false-negative sentinel lymph nodes can and should be limited by using immunohistochemistry.

Koljonen V, Böhling T, Virolainen S. Tumor burden of sentinel lymph node metastasis in Merkel cell carcinoma.

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Volume38, Issue6

June 2011

Pages 508-513

Tumor burden of sentinel lymph node metastasis in Merkel cell carcinoma

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Tumor burden of sentinel lymph node metastasis in Merkel cell carcinoma

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