Abstract

Sentinel node biopsy method has been frequently used in breast cancer and malignant melanoma as a staging procedure. In head neck malignancies, neck node metastasis is one of the most important prognostic factors with a direct impact on the survival of the patient. Traditionally selective or complete elective neck dissection is done especially with subsites such as the oral cavity and supraglottic region where the possibility of occult neck node metastasis is high. However neck dissection also carries its share of morbidity. With the emergence of sentinel node biopsy , the present review, based on various studies and analysis around the globe, aims to define the role of sentinel node biopsy in staging of occult nodal metastasis in head neck cancers at a much lower morbidity rate.