Researchers from the International Network on Cancer, Infertility and Pregnancy (INCIP) have published a new multi-center study demonstrating that indocyanine green (ICG)-guided sentinel lymph node mapping is a feasible approach for selected pregnant patients with early-stage cervical cancer.
Bringing together expertise from seven European centers, this is the largest case series to date evaluating the technique during pregnancy. The study showed high sentinel node detection rates, comparable to those seen in non-pregnant patients, with no intra-operative maternal complications and generally favorable pregnancy outcomes.
The findings mark an important milestone in the ongoing effort to improve cancer care during pregnancy. By supporting a less invasive approach to lymph node staging, this research has the potential to reduce maternal morbidity while enabling more personalized treatment decisions that carefully balance optimal cancer care with the continuation of pregnancy.
This study reflects the strength of international collaboration within the INCIP network and adds valuable evidence to a field where clinical data remain scarce. It represents another important step toward improving evidence-based care for pregnant patients diagnosed with cervical cancer.
