Accuracy of Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy to Predict Nodal Metastasis in Head and Neck Merkel Cell Carcinoma
In this large single-site cohort study, SLNB remained a useful tool in head and neck MCC, identifying more than half of occult nodal disease. Given reduced performance in this region, patients with failed SLNB or negative SLNB plus high-risk features may benefit from tailored management, including intensified therapy and surveillance.
Authors
- Karla Valdes-Morales (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1258-1311)
- John T. Miura (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7028-2152)
- John N. Lukens (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7104-413X)
- Karthik Rajasekaran
- Dylan Haynes (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8986-8196)
- Steven B. Cannady
- Joseph F. Sobanko (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7604-9463)
- Jeremy R. Etzkorn (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3587-3592)
- Ryan M. Carey (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0186-2265)
- Junqian Zhang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2799-9347)
- Daniel A. Pryma (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8978-4419)
- Robert M. Brody (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6639-8830)
- Gavin Turner (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2810-0236)
- Kyle Polen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-7775-111X)
- Joanna Walker
- Mimi Kim
- H. William Higgins
- Giorgos C. Karakousis
- Ravi K. Amaravadi
- Van Anh Tran
- Emily R. Hunter
- D. Gregory Farwell
- Stephanie Y. Wang
- Tara C. Mitchell
- Christopher J. Miller
Institutions
- Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (US)
- Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center (US)
- University of Pennsylvania (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery
- Published
- 2026-01-29
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1001/jamaoto.2025.5211
- Primary Topic
- Polyomavirus and related diseases
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00