Lymphatic mapping and sentinel node detection in gynecologic malignancies of the lower genital tract

The utility of lymphatic mapping and sentinel lymph node biopsy in malignancies of the female lower genital tract - vulvar, vaginal, and cervical cancers - is being explored in multiple centers internationally. For patients with these tumors, lymphatic mapping with sentinel lymph node biopsy holds the promise of increasing the identification of microscopically metastatic disease while decreasing the morbidity of complete lymphadenectomy. In this review article we present the published data on mapping techniques and discuss the advantages and pitfalls of these procedures.