Lymphadenectomy, An Issue of Surgical Oncology Clinics

Lymph notes play a central role in the management of solid tumors. The goal for this issue is to provide a current perspective and a comprehensive overview of the state of the knowledge about the therapeutic and staging role of lymphadenectomy. The contents of the issue will address a broad spectrum of topics placed in 3 categories:: 1- Basic Overview, 2 - Sentinel Node Biopsy for Staging, 3 - Therapeutic Lymph Node Dissection. Topics include anatomy of the lymphatic system; pathological evaluation of lymph nodes; current status of sentinel node biopsy in malignancies such as breast, melanoma and GI tract; discuss and highlight the controversy associated with extended therapeutic lymph node dissection in various common cancers. Also the critical issue of surgical education and credentialing for emerging procedures, to sustain surgical quality that has been important for sentinel node biopsy, will be addressed.