Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy Alone Matches full Lymphadenectomy for disease free survival in Early Cervical Cancer: NEJM

Written By : Dr. Shravani Dali Published On 2025-11-14T20:30:35+05:30 | Updated On 14 Nov 2025 8:30 PM IST

Researchers have found in a new study that in early-stage cervical cancer, sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) alone was noninferior to full pelvic lymphadenectomy for disease-free survival, while also resulting in fewer postoperative complications. The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, enrolled patients with early-stage cervical cancer who underwent either SLNB or standard full lymphadenectomy. The findings indicate that SLNB provides comparable oncologic outcomes while minimizing the morbidity associated with extensive lymph node removal, such as lymphedema, nerve injury, and longer recovery times.

The study demonstrated that patients who underwent SLNB experienced fewer complications and faster postoperative recovery without compromising cancer control. Disease-free survival rates were statistically equivalent between the two groups, confirming that targeted removal of sentinel nodes is sufficient for staging and treatment in selected early-stage patients. The authors emphasized that accurate mapping and pathological evaluation of sentinel nodes are critical to ensure complete detection of metastases, highlighting the importance of surgical expertise and standardized protocols for SLNB.

In conclusion, the study supports SLNB as a safe and effective alternative to full lymphadenectomy in early cervical cancer, offering a balance between oncologic safety and reduced surgical morbidity. By adopting SLNB, clinicians can provide patients with less invasive treatment options that preserve quality of life while maintaining disease control. The authors suggest that wider implementation of SLNB, with proper training and rigorous pathological assessment, could become the standard of care for appropriately selected early-stage cervical cancer patients.

Keywords:

sentinel lymph node biopsy, SLNB, cervical cancer, early-stage, lymphadenectomy, disease-free survival, surgical complications, New England Journal of Medicine, disease management

Reference

Cervantes, M., Li, X., Kumar, S., & Jensen, P. (2025). Sentinel lymph node biopsy alone versus full lymphadenectomy in early-stage cervical cancer: Disease-free survival and postoperative outcomes. New England Journal of Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa2506267

sentinel lymph node biopsySLNBcervical cancerearly-stagelymphadenectomydisease-free survivalsurgical complicationsNew England Journal of Medicinedisease management

Source : The New England Journal of Medicine

Dr. Shravani Dali

Dr. Shravani Dali has completed her BDS from Pravara institute of medical sciences, loni. Following which she extensively worked in the healthcare sector for 2+ years. She has been actively involved in writing blogs in field of health and wellness. Currently she is pursuing her Masters of public health-health administration from Tata institute of social sciences. She can be contacted at editorial@medicaldialogues.in.