Guy’s Hospital Mentors NICE for Sentinel Node Biopsy

The management of early carcinoma of the mouth remains controversial. Elective neck dissection is the mainstream and more invasive option, but isn’t always necessary and is often used as a precaution. However, Sentinel Node Biopsy exists as a minimally invasive alternative, with fewer surgical risks. HNCF is actively working to make SNB an option for all head and neck cancer patients across oncology centres all over the country.

Sentinel Node Biopsy has been used on breast cancer patients, has demonstrated po sitive results in oral cancer (hence NICE’s firm backing) and is also being applied in thoracics.

If you would like to read NICE’s full report, you can do so here: http://www.nice.org.uk/sharedlearning/setting-up-a-service-for-sentinel-lymph-node-biopsy-slnb-in-patients-with-early-oral-squamous-cell-cancer-scc-our-experience-to-date#results