Technetium-99m-marked sentinel lymph node biopsy for oral squamous cell carcinoma as a safe and effective procedure for patient and staff - Report - MDSpire

Technetium-99m-marked sentinel lymph node biopsy for oral squamous cell carcinoma as a safe and effective procedure for patient and staff

  • By

  • Christian Soemmer

  • Felix Bärenfänger

  • Evangelos Vitkos

  • Ákos Bicsák

  • Alicia König

  • Stefan Hassfeld

  • Lars Bonitz

  • Monia Hamami-Arlinghaus

  • June 29, 2026

  • 0 min

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Clinical Report: Evaluation of Technetium-99m-Labeled Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy

Overview

This study evaluates the feasibility and safety of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) using technetium-99m in patients with early-stage oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

Background

Accurate assessment of lymph node involvement is crucial in the management of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is a minimally invasive technique that may reduce the need for more extensive surgical procedures while maintaining oncologic safety. Its application in OSCC is less widespread compared to other cancers.

Data Highlights

ParameterValue
Patients included16
Occult lymph node metastases3/16 (18.8%)
Tumor upstaging (pT>cT)1/16 (6.3%)
Mean administered technetium-99m activity100.9 ± 2.1 MBq
Mean duration of surgery111.5 min
Surgeon's mean radiation exposure2.3 μSv

Key Findings

  • SLNB was performed on 16 patients with clinically staged cT1-cT2 cN0 OSCC.
  • Sentinel lymph nodes were successfully identified in all patients.
  • Occult lymph node metastases were detected in 18.8% of patients.
  • The mean radiation exposure for the surgeon was 2.3 μSv.
  • No regional nodal recurrences or delayed nodal failures were observed during follow-up.

Clinical Implications

Further studies are needed to evaluate the role of SLNB in early-stage OSCC.

Conclusion

Further studies are needed to confirm these findings and establish the role of SLNB compared to elective neck dissection.

Related Resources & Content

  1. Frontiers | Technetium-99m-marked sentinel lymph node biopsy for oral squamous cell carcinoma as a safe and effective procedure for patient and staff
  2. The ASCO Post — Making the Case for Sentinel Node Biopsy in Early Cancers of the Oral Cavity
  3. Frontiers in Immunology — Stratified Lymph Node Yield Thresholds After Neoadjuvant Immunochemotherapy: A Surgical Benchmark for Survival in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
  4. The ASCO Post — FDA Approves Radioactive Diagnostic Imaging Agent to Help Determine the Extent of Head and Neck Cancer in the Body
  5. Utilizing Hybrid SPECT/CT for Enhanced Lymphatic Mapping in Breast Cancer Patients
  6. https://www.oregon.gov/oha/HPA/DSI-HERC/MembersOnly/7.5f%20NCCN%201.2026%20head-and-neck.pdf
  7. Frontiers | Technetium-99m-marked sentinel lymph node biopsy for oral squamous cell carcinoma as a safe and effective procedure for patient and staff
  8. The EANM practical guidelines for sentinel lymph node localisation in oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma - PMC

Original Source(s)

Technetium-99m-marked sentinel lymph node biopsy for oral squamous cell carcinoma as a safe and effective procedure for patient and staff

  • by Christian Soemmer, Felix Bärenfänger, Evangelos Vitkos, Ákos Bicsák, Alicia König, Stefan Hassfeld, Lars Bonitz, Monia Hamami-Arlinghaus

  • June 29, 2026

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