This patient is the first with cervical cancer to undergo a sentinel lymph node biopsy at Tam Anh General Hospital Ho Chi Minh City. Previously, this technique was applied in breast cancer treatment.

Ms. Loan's colposcopy revealed a lesion of approximately 2 cm on the posterior lip of her cervix, and her HPV test was positive for a high-risk group. A biopsy confirmed invasive squamous cell carcinoma. Doctors diagnosed Ms. Loan with stage IB1 cervical cancer.

Oncology doctors held a consultation and decided to perform a sentinel lymph node biopsy during the surgery. Doctors injected ICG fluorescent dye into the cervix and used a specialized camera system to monitor the lymphatic drainage pathway, accurately identifying and removing the sentinel lymph nodes. If the results showed no lymph node metastasis, doctors would perform a radical hysterectomy, bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy, and ovarian preservation to maintain endocrine function. In cases of lymph node metastasis, doctors would stop the surgery and change the treatment plan to radical radiation therapy.

Dr. Huynh Ba Tan, from the Department of Oncology Surgery at Tam Anh General Hospital Ho Chi Minh City's Oncology Center, stated that this method helps determine the extent of tumor spread, avoids unnecessary lymph node dissection, and reduces the risk of lymphedema and complications from combined surgery and radiation.

Dr. Tan (center) and Dr. Tran Nguyen Nhat Khanh (first from left) performed a hysterectomy and lymph node biopsy for Ms. Loan. Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital

Ms. Loan's intraoperative sentinel lymph node biopsy was negative, so Dr. Tan performed a radical hysterectomy. One week later, pathology results showed no metastasis in the removed lymph nodes, but she requires regular follow-ups for early detection of cancer recurrence.

Dr. Khanh examined Ms. Loan before her discharge. Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital

Cervical cancer is common in women, and its initial symptoms are easily mistaken for common gynecological conditions, such as abnormal vaginal bleeding and prolonged discharge, leading to late detection.

According to 2022 Globocan statistics, there were approximately 660,000 new cases and over 348,000 deaths from cervical cancer in Vietnam. Dr. Tan recommends that women actively prevent cervical cancer by getting the HPV vaccine and undergoing regular health check-ups for early detection and timely treatment.

Minh Tam

*Patient's name has been changed