Sentinel lymph node biopsy has transformed vulvar cancer surgery over the past decade. Women from Muzaffarnagar with early-stage vulvar cancer no longer routinely need full groin lymph node removal — a procedure associated with significant long-term morbidity. Dr. Monisha Gupta at Fortis Hospital, New Delhi offers this approach for eligible patients.
Why Groin Lymph Nodes Matter in Vulvar Cancer
Whether cancer has spread to the inguinal (groin) lymph nodes is the single most important prognostic factor in vulvar cancer. It determines whether radiation to the groins is needed and whether the cancer is still curable by surgery. Historically, both groins were always dissected — removing 10–15 nodes from each side.
What Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy Changes
SLNB uses a radioactive tracer or blue dye injected around the tumour to identify the 1–3 lymph nodes that directly drain the cancer. These “sentinel” nodes are removed and examined. If they are negative for cancer, the remaining 20–30 groin nodes are left in place — eliminating the main source of morbidity:
- Lymphoedema (chronic leg swelling): reduced from ~30% to <5%
- Wound infection in the groin: significantly reduced
- Hospital stay: shortened by 1–2 days
Who Is Eligible for SLNB?
SLNB is validated for women with Stage I–II vulvar cancer, unifocal tumour ≤4 cm, without enlarged nodes on imaging. Women from Muzaffarnagar — including those from Bhokaredi Road, Gandhi Colony, Circuit House Area — who meet these criteria should specifically ask about SLNB at their consultation with Dr. Monisha Gupta.
Book a Consultation
Contact us here — Fortis Hospital, Shalimar Bagh, New Delhi.
