Histopathological work-up and interpretation of sentinel lymph nodes for vulvar squamous cell carcinoma

Identification / removal of sentinel lymph nodes (SLN) aims at reduction of long-term morbidity from complete lymphadenectomies e.g. inguinal seromas in vulvar squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Correct histopathological work-up of SLN is imperative, as patients with inguinal recurrence / disease have a high risk to die from systemic disease. Work-up and interpretation of SLN from vulvar SCC differs from that in other organs, in particular from breast cancer. Methods: The experience with SLN dissection and work-up of 48 patients with vulvar SCC at the Institute of Pathology, Medical University Graz, Austria, is pres…