Complications and other surgical outcomes associated with extended pelvic lymphadenectomy in men with localized prostate cancer

OBJECTIVES: More-extensive pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) may be associated with a higher rate of complications and a longer hospital stay than more limited PLND. METHODS: Before radical retropubic prostatectomy, PLNDs were performed in 963 patients. Of these, 767 (79.6%) had >or=10 lymph nodes removed and examined (extended PLND [ePLND]), while 1-9 nodes (limited PLND [lPLND]) were removed in the remaining 196 (20.4%). Limits included external iliac, obturator, internal iliac, and iliac bifurcation. PLND-related complications and the length of hospital stay were recorded prospectively and analyzed according to the extent of PLND. RESULTS: In patients subjected to ePLND, the overall rate of complications was 19.8% versus 8.2% in those treated with lPLND (p<0.001). In individual analyses of specific complications, only the lymphocele rate was significantly higher after ePLND (10.3% vs 4.6%; p=0.01). Similarly, ePLND translated into a longer hospital stay (9.9 vs 8.2 d; p<0.001). These differences persisted when adjustment was made for prostate-specific antigen and either clinical or pathologic tumor characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that, even in the hands of experienced urologic surgeons, ePLNDs are associated with higher complication rates and longer hospital stay. These detriments need to be taken into account when the staging benefit associated with ePLND is considered.     

Laparoscopic extended pelvic lymph node dissection for prostate cancer: description of the surgical technique and initial results

OBJECTIVE: In patients with prostate cancer, extended pelvic lymph node dissection (ePLND) yields a higher number of lymph node metastases (LNM) than standard pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) of the obturator fossa only. We describe our laparoscopic technique of extended lymph node dissection and provide the number and locations of positive lymph nodes from our experience. METHODS: In a total of 35 selected patients with clinically localized prostate cancer, laparoscopic ePLND was performed prior to laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. The template included the genitofemoral nerve up to the bifurcation of the common iliac artery and down to the epigastric artery. In the "split and roll" technique the internal and external iliac arteries including the bifurcation and the external iliac vein were completely mobilized. After freeing the obturator nerve, the entire lymph node package was released from the pelvic side wall. RESULTS: Mean operative time was 90min/patient. The complications were two temporary and reversible neurapraxias (ischiatic nerve and obturator nerve), one deep vein thrombosis, and two lymphoceles. One lymphocele healed conservatively; the second was marsupialized laparoscopically. Eleven (31.4%) patients had lymph node metastases; their mean prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level was 20.3+/-7.0 ng/ml (range: 5.2-39.7 ng/ml) and their median Gleason sum in biopsy was 7 (range: 6-8). Mean size of the LNM was 3.1+/-1.0 mm (range: 0.2-8). In 5 of the 11 patients with LNM these were detected exclusively outside the obturator fossa. LNM were in the obturator fossa only in two (one bilateral), around the external iliac artery only in two, around the internal iliac artery only in two, and around the external iliac artery and internal iliac only in one patient. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic ePLND can be combined with laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. Standardization of the technique facilitates surgery to a great extent. e-PLND detects LNM in a significant number of patients. The majority of LNM are outside the obturator fossa. The transperitoneal approach allows a wide exposure and is the most important factor to enable successful ePLND.     

Sentinel lymph node dissection for prostate cancer: experience with more than 1,000 patients

PURPOSE: We determined the incidence of positive pelvic lymph nodes in men undergoing radical retropubic prostatectomy and describe the correlation with prostate specific antigen, histological grade and stage. We examined whether tumor cells are localized in the sentinel nodes only or also in other nonsentinel lymph nodes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 1,055 men with prostate cancer underwent radio guided pelvic lymph node dissection and radical retropubic prostatectomy. In men with prostate specific antigen 20 ng/ml or less and biopsy Gleason score 7 or less only sentinel nodes were removed. In men with prostate specific antigen more than 20 ng/ml or Gleason score greater than 7 extended pelvic lymph node dissection was also performed. RESULTS: Positive lymph nodes were found in 207 men (19.6%). In 63.3% of the men these lymph nodes were detected outside of the region of standard lymphadenectomy. The percent of patients with positive nodes was greater than predicted by currently used nomograms. The higher the preoperative prostate specific antigen, pathological stage and grade, the greater the percent of men with positive sentinel and nonsentinel lymph nodes (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: When deciding on pelvic lymph node dissection, sentinel or extended lymphadenectomy should be performed since more than half of patients have positive nodes outside of the region of standard lymphadenectomy. In cases of positive sentinel nodes extended lymph node dissection should be performed since tumor cells are also detectable in nonsentinel lymph nodes.     

Is a limited lymphadenectomy targeting obturator nodes alone an adequate procedure for Japanese men undergoing radical prostatectomy?

BACKGROUND: The objective of the present study was to investigate the significance of pelvic lymphadenectomy during radical prostatectomy in Japanese men with prostate cancer. METHODS: A total of 178 consecutive patients who underwent radical prostatectomy and standard pelvic lymphadenectomy targeting the external iliac nodes and obturator fossa for clinically localized prostate cancer were studied. The median observation period of this series was 18 months (range: 3-36 months). RESULTS: Lymph node metastases were detected in 13 patients; that is, positive nodes were located in the external iliac nodes alone in seven patients, the obturator fossa alone in four patients, and both external iliac nodes and obturator fossa in two patients. Of these 13 patients, all of the seven with more than one positive node demonstrated biochemical recurrence, whereas five of the six with single node involvement remained without signs of biochemical recurrence. Furthermore, a single positive node was located in the external iliac region in five of the six patients. When a group at high-risk for lymph node metastasis was defined as those meeting more than two of the following three criteria: (i) pretreatment serum prostate specific antigen value > or = 20 ng/mL; (ii) biopsy Gleason sum > or = 8; or (iii) percentage of positive biopsy core > or = 50%, the incidence of lymph node metastasis was 24.5% in the high-risk group and 0.8% in the low-risk group. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that limited dissection of the obturator node alone may not be sufficient for Japanese men undergoing radical prostatectomy; therefore, we recommend performing standard pelvic lymphadenectomy targeting both the external iliac nodes and the obturator fossa for patients at high-risk of lymph node involvement.     

Randomized prospective evaluation of extended versus limited lymph node dissection in patients with clinically localized prostate cancer

PURPOSE: The low rate of pelvic node metastasis in most contemporary series of patients undergoing radical prostatectomy for carcinoma of the prostate has been attributed to earlier and better patient selection than historical series. Alternatively, it has been suggested that the limited dissection commonly performed misses nodal metastasis in a substantial number of patients. To assess the value of an extended node dissection in detecting nodal metastasis, we performed a randomized prospective study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 123 patients undergoing radical prostatectomy were randomized to an extended node dissection on the right versus the left side of the pelvis with the other side being a limited dissection. The extended dissection included removal of all external iliac nodes to a point above the bifurcation of the common iliac artery, the obturator nodes and the presacral nodes. The limited dissection included only the nodes along the external iliac vein and obturator nerve. RESULTS: Mean patient age was 61 years. Clinical stage was T1c in 88 patients (72%), T2a in 26 (21%), T2b in 7 (6%) and T3 in 2 (1%). Mean preoperative prostate specific antigen was 7.4 ng./ml. Pelvic lymph node metastasis was histologically confirmed in 8 patients (6.5%). Positive nodes were found on the side of the extended dissection in 4 patients, on the side of the limited dissection in 3 and on both sides in 1. Complications possibly attributable to the node dissection included lymphocele in 4 patients, lower extremity edema in 5, deep venous thrombosis in 2, ureteral injury in 1 and pelvic abscess in 1. These complications occurred 3 times more often on the side of the extended dissection (p = 0.08). CONCLUSIONS: Extended node dissection in contemporary series of patients undergoing radical prostatectomy identifies few with nodal metastases not found by a more limited dissection. A trend toward an increased risk of complications attributable to the lymphadenectomy occurs with an extended dissection.     

Extended pelvic lymphadenectomy in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy: high incidence of lymph node metastasis

PURPOSE: Lymphadenectomy for prostate cancer is limited to obturator and external iliac lymph nodes, although the internal lymph nodes represent the primary landing zone of lymphatic drainage. We performed anatomically adequate extended pelvic lymphadenectomy to assess the incidence of lymph node metastasis in cases of clinically localized prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 103 consecutive patients underwent extended pelvic lymphadenectomy at radical retropubic prostatectomy comprising 9 selective fields, namely the external iliac, internal iliac, obturator and common iliac lymph nodes bilaterally, and the presacral lymph nodes. Histopathological findings were compared with serum prostate specific antigen (PSA), histopathological stage, preoperative biopsy and postoperative prostatectomy Gleason score. Extended pelvic lymphadenectomy was compared with radical retropubic prostatectomy and standard lymphadenectomy in 100 consecutive patients in terms of complications, the number of lymph nodes dissected and operative time. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in age, preoperative PSA or mean biopsy Gleason score in patients who underwent extended pelvic and standard lymphadenectomy. Metastases were diagnosed in 27 of the 103 patients (26.2%) who underwent the extended procedure. A mean of 28 lymph nodes (range 21 to 42) were dissected. Metastases were identified in the internal iliac and presacral regions despite negative obturator lymph nodes. Of the 27 patients 1 to 3 lymph nodes involved with metastasis were detected in 15, 9 and 1, respectively. In 26 of the 27 patients (95.8%) with lymph node metastasis PSA was greater than 10.5 ng./ml. and preoperative biopsy Gleason sum was 7 or greater. A low risk of 2% for lymph node disease was noted in patients with serum PSA less than 10.5 ng./ml. and biopsy Gleason sum less than 7. There were no significant differences in regard to intraoperative and postoperative complications, lymphocele formation or blood loss in the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: Extended pelvic lymphadenectomy is associated with a high rate of lymph node metastasis outside of the fields of standard lymphadenectomy in cases of clinically localized prostate cancer. Lymphadenectomy including the internal iliac lymph nodes should be performed in all patients with prostate cancer who are at high risk for lymph node involvement, as indicated by PSA greater than 10.5 ng./ml. and biopsy Gleason sum 7 or greater. In the low risk group pelvic lymphadenectomy can be omitted.     

Ilioinguinal lymph node dissection for palpable metastatic melanoma to the groin

Background: Block dissection of the inguinal lymph nodes is the routine management for palpable metastatic melanoma confined to this node basin. Involvement of the next tier external iliac and obturator lymph nodes in the pelvis is common, and untreated pelvic nodal disease can become advanced before becoming clinically apparent. We have routinely performed combined inguinal and pelvic (ilioinguinal) lymph node block dissection to avoid this morbid outcome. Methods: A retrospective analysis of all patients undergoing ilioinguinal lymph node dissection for melanoma between January 1998 and January 2006 was carried out. Results: There were 72 patients with a median age of 52.7 years (19.7–75.2 years) who were followed up for a median of 28.9 months (1.0–115.0 months) after ilioinguinal lymph node dissection. There were 22 (30.6%) of 72 patients with histologically involved pelvic lymph nodes. Preoperative computed tomography (CT) scanning accuracy for pelvic lymph node involvement was as follows: sensitivity 60.0%, specificity 100.0%, positive predictive value 100.0% and negative predictive value 86.2%. Lymphoedema was reported in 32 (44.4%) of 72 patients. Median time to first recurrence was 8.7 months (0.8–69.7 months). Regional recurrence occurred in 6 (8.3%) of 72 patients at a median of 4.9 months (0.9–32.0 months). Extranodal spread was the only factor adversely associated with disease‐free survival. In all patients, 5‐year disease‐free survival was 38% (95% confidence interval (CI) 26–50) and overall survival 47% (95% CI 33–60). Conclusion: Palpable metastatic melanoma in the groin is commonly associated with pelvic lymph node involvement, is not well predicted by CT scanning and is appropriately managed by ilioinguinal lymph node block dissection.     

膀胱癌淋巴结转移规律的探讨

目的探讨膀胱癌淋巴结转移规律及其临床意义。方法收集因膀胱癌而行全膀胱切除术的129例患者的临床病理资料,按解剖部位将盆腔淋巴结分为10区6组,比较各组淋巴结转移率和阳性淋巴结检出率。结果全组淋巴结总转移率和阳性淋巴结检出率分别为29.5%(38/129)和6.8%(214/3142)。各组转移率由高到低排列为闭孔、髂内、髂外、髂总、骶前和肠系膜下动脉分叉以下腹主动脉及腔静脉周围,分别为20.9%、18.6%、17.1%、11.5%、9.8%和5.4%,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。各组阳性淋巴结检出率由高到低排列为髂总、闭孔、髂外、髂内、骶前和肠系膜下动脉分叉以下腹主动脉及腔静脉周围,分别为10.6%、10.0%、8.9%、5.3%、4.0%和1.6%,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。结论膀胱癌行根治性手术时,淋巴结清扫基本范围包括髂总动脉加标准盆腔淋巴结清扫。骶前和腹主动脉远端组若未发现可疑转移淋巴结者,该区域不必进行常规清扫。可根据手术所见,直接选取闭孔、骶前组淋巴结中的疑似转移者,行快速冷冻病理检查,明确有无肿瘤转移,决定是否缩小或超扩大盆腔淋巴结清扫术。     

Laparoscopic extended pelvic lymph node dissection during radical cystectomy: technique and clinical outcomes

Study Type – Therapy (case series)
Level of Evidence 4 What’s known on the subject? and What does the study add? Pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) is an obligatory step for radical cystectomy and it provides staging information and potential survival benefits. This study shows extended PLND with proximal boundary of inferior mesentery artery is safe and feasible under laparoscopy. More positive nodes can be retrieved compared to standard template.

OBJECTIVE

? To study the surgical techniques and clinical results of laparoscopic extended pelvic lymph node dissection during radical cystectomy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

? From July 2007 to October 2009, 43 patients with bladder carcinoma received laparoscopic radical cystectomy with extended pelvic lymphadenectomy and urinary diversion. ? Pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) was first performed within extended template. ? The lower part of aorta and vena cava were isolated from the bifurcation of common iliac artery to the level of the inferior mesenteric artery. ? The standard template PLND was continued along the external iliac vessels, internal iliac vessels and obturator nerve. The bladder was then removed laparoscopically and urinary diversion was performed.

RESULTS

? All procedures were performed successfully and no open conversion occurred. The duration of the procedure for extended PLND was 90–185 min (mean 125 min) and total duration was 280–470 min (mean 329 min). ? Intra‐operative blood loss was 200–1500 mL (mean 325 mL) and eight cases received transfusion. Pathological study identified transitional cell carcinoma and a negative margin in all cases. A range of 19–53 lymph nodes were dissected in the patients with a mean of 31.3. ? In total, 17 positive nodes were confirmed in 11 cases. Postoperative complications included two cases of bowel obstruction, two cases of mild urine leakage and 17 cases of lymphatic leakage.

CONCLUSIONS

? Laparoscopic radical cystectomy with extended pelvic lymphadenectomy is indicated in selected patients with bladder cancer. ? It is safe, minimally invasive and more lymph nodes can be retrieved with a higher success rate by extended pelvic lymphadenectomy.     

Anatomical Basis for Pelvic Lymphadenectomy in Prostate Cancer: Results of an Autopsy Study and Implications for the Clinic

Purpose

Pelvic lymphadenectomy remains the most reliable method to prove lymph node metastases in prostate cancer. However, evaluation of lymphadenectomy to be complete and sufficient as judged by the number of removed lymph nodes is hampered by the fact that, in contrast to other malignancies (for example breast or gastric cancer), anatomical studies investigating the regular and average number of pelvic lymph nodes are missing. We established an anatomically based standard for pelvic lymphadenectomy.

Materials and Methods

Standard pelvic lymphadenectomy was performed on 30 human cadavers and 59 consecutive patients with clinically organ confined prostate cancer during radical retropubic prostatectomy. Number, size and topography of the lymph nodes were noted separately for each anatomical region of both iliac fossas.

Results

The mean number of lymph nodes removed in the autopsy series plus or minus standard deviation (22.7 plus/minus 10.2, range 8 to 56) was nearly identical to that from patients with prostate cancer (20.5 plus/minus 6.6, range 10 to 37) but striking interindividual differences were observed. Patients with prostate cancer demonstrated enlarged nodes regardless of whether they did or did not contain tumor. Interestingly, pelvic lymph node metastases were more common on the left side regardless of the primary tumor site.

Conclusions

Approximately 20 pelvic lymph nodes may serve as a guideline for a sufficient standard pelvic lymph node dissection. Lymphadenopathy in prostate cancer patients is not always a result of metastases but, rather, hyperplastic or regressive alterations. A preferential distribution of lymph node metastases along the left iliac vessels regardless of the primary tumor site in the prostate warrants further investigation.     

Is a limited lymph node dissection an adequate staging procedure for prostate cancer?

PURPOSE: Generally lymph node dissection is only considered a staging procedure for prostate cancer. Therefore, the need for meticulous lymph node dissection is often questioned and only sampling is suggested. We performed a prospective study to identify the pattern of lymph node metastasis in prostate cancer and determine how extensive lymph node dissection must be not to under stage cases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients with clinically organ confined prostate cancer, no prior hormonal treatment, negative preoperative staging computerized tomography and bone scan, who underwent radical prostatectomy between 1989 and 1999, were evaluated prospectively as to the number and location of lymph node metastasis. A meticulous lymph node dissection was performed along the external iliac vein, obturator nerve and internal iliac (hypogastric) vessels. Nodes from each location and side were submitted separately for histological evaluation. RESULTS: In 365 patients with a median serum prostate specific antigen of 11.9 ng./ml. (range 0.4 to 172) the median number of nodes removed was 21 (range 6 to 50). Lymph nodes were positive in 88 (24%) patients and the median number of positive nodes was 2 (range 1 to 19). Internal iliac lymph nodes were positive in 51 (58%) of the 88 patients, including 34 with additional positive lymph nodes along the external iliac vein and/or obturator nerve. Internal iliac lymph nodes alone were positive in 17 (19%) of 88 patients. CONCLUSIONS: There were significant numbers of lymph node metastases at all 3 different areas of lymphadenectomy. Positive lymph nodes were found along the internal iliac artery in more than half (58%) of the patients and exclusively in 19%. Therefore, we consider lymph node dissection along the internal iliac (hypogastric) vessels essential for representative staging. Without this dissection a fifth of node positive cases would have been under staged and diseased nodes would have remained in more than half of the cases.     

前列腺癌盆腔各解剖区域淋巴结转移特点及其临床意义

目的：探讨前列腺癌盆腔各解剖区域淋巴结转移特点及其临床意义。方法：收集因前列腺癌而行前列腺根治切除＋分区盆腔淋巴结清扫术93例患者的临床病理资料,将盆腔淋巴结分为9区5组,明确盆腔各解剖区域淋巴结转移的频率和分布,比较各组淋巴结转移率和转移度。结果：全组有25例发生淋巴结转移,转移率为26．9％（25／93）。低、中、高危组前列腺癌的淋巴结转移率分别为2．6％（1／39）、30．0％（9／30）、62．5％（15／24）。各组转移率由高到低排列为髂内、闭孔、髂外、骶前和髂总,分别为16．4％（11／67）,15．1％（14／93）,11．8％（11／93）,2．3％（1／44）和0（0／67）,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01）。转移淋巴结（阳性）53枚,转移度为3．2％（53／1643）。各组转移度由高到低排列为闭孔、髂内、髂外、骶前和髂总分别为4．9％（23／468）,4．0％（16／401）,3．2％（12／378）,0．9％（2／222）和0（0／174）,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01）。结论：①对低危组的患者可不实施盆腔淋巴结清扫;对中一高危组患者,必须实施淋巴结清扫。②清扫范围：髂外、髂内和闭孔组为必须清扫的最小区域范围;髂总和骶前组不必进行常规清扫;③可根据术中闭孔、骶前组淋巴结快速冰冻病理检查,明确有无转移,来决定盆腔淋巴结清扫最适个体化清扫范围。     

IMPACT OF SEPARATE VERSUS EN BLOC PELVIC LYMPH NODE DISSECTION ON THE NUMBER OF LYMPH NODES RETRIEVED IN CYSTECTOMY SPECIMENS

PURPOSE: Pelvic lymphadenectomy during radical cystectomy yields a various number of lymph nodes depending on the extent of lymph node dissection and pathologist aggressiveness when searching the specimen. How the surgeon submits lymph nodes for pathological evaluation may also affect how many are retrieved. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Bilateral pelvic lymph node dissection and radical cystectomy for transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder was performed in 32 patients. The extent of lymph node dissection involved standard and extended lymphadenectomy in 20 and 12 cases, respectively. In patients who underwent standard dissection unilateral en bloc submission of the lymph nodes was done with the contralateral lymph node dissection sent as an individual discrete packet. In those who underwent extended dissection all lymph nodes from each side were submitted en bloc or as 6 packets. RESULTS: Standard lymphadenectomy en bloc specimens yielded a mean of 2.4 lymph nodes compared with 8.5 retrieved from individual lymph node specimens (p = 0.003). Extended lymphadenectomy en bloc specimens yielded a mean of 22.6 lymph nodes compared with 36.5 retrieved from the individually submitted packets (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Submitting pelvic lymph nodes as separate specimens optimizes pathological evaluation of the number of lymph nodes that may be involved with metastatic cancer. Such information is important for identifying patients who may benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy.     

膀胱癌盆腔淋巴结转移的规律及影响因素分析

目的通过分析膀胱尿路上皮癌淋巴结转移的规律及其相关影响因素,结合盆腔淋巴清扫的研究进展,探讨盆腔淋巴清扫策略。 方法收集我院2008年至2016年由同一术者完成腹腔镜根治性膀胱切除和盆腔淋巴清扫的膀胱尿路上皮癌患者的资料,回顾性分析淋巴结转移的规律及其相关影响因素。 结果共收集患者285例,69例（24.2%）发生淋巴结转移。最常见的淋巴结转移部位为髂内/闭孔淋巴结（57/69,82.6%）,其次是髂外淋巴结（37/69,53.6%）;真骨盆外淋巴结转移均伴随髂内/闭孔或髂外淋巴结转移;单侧壁膀胱癌可以向对侧盆腔淋巴结转移。T1组淋巴结转移率4.6%（4/87）,T2组18.0%（18/100）;T3组50.8%（30/59）;T4组68.0%（17/25）。多因素回归分析显示淋巴结转移与肿瘤分期呈正相关,与分级、年龄、性别、体质量指数、吸烟等因素无关。 结论髂内/闭孔和髂外淋巴结是膀胱癌最主要的淋巴结转移部位,肿瘤高分期是影响膀胱癌淋巴结转移的主要因素。根治性膀胱切除术应行至少包括双侧髂内、闭孔、髂外淋巴结的标准淋巴清扫。     

Detection of pelvic lymph node metastases in patients with clinically localized prostate cancer: comparison of [18F]fluorocholine positron emission tomography-computerized tomography and laparoscopic radioisotope guided sentinel lymph node dissection

PURPOSE: Accurate detection of lymph node metastases in prostate cancer has important implications for prognosis and approach to treatment. We investigated whether preoperative [18F]fluorocholine combined in-line positron emission tomography-computerized tomography and intraoperative laparoscopic radioisotope guided sentinel pelvic lymph node dissection can detect pelvic lymph node metastases in patients with clinically localized prostate cancer as reliably as extended pelvic lymph node dissection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 20 patients (mean age 63.9 +/- 6.7 years, range 52 to 75) with clinically localized prostate cancer, prostate specific antigen greater than 10 ng/ml, and/or a Gleason score sum of 7 or greater and negative bone scan were enrolled in the study. [18F]fluorocholine combined in-line positron emission tomography-computerized tomography was performed before surgery. Sentinel pelvic lymph node dissection preceded extended pelvic lymph node dissection including the area of the obturator fossa, external iliac artery/vein and internal iliac artery/vein up to the bifurcation of the common iliac artery. Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy was performed afterward. RESULTS: In 10 of the 20 patients (50%) lymph node metastases were detected, and were exclusively found outside the obturator fossa in 62%. These metastases would not have been identified with standard lymph node dissection of the obturator fossa only. [18F]fluorocholine combined in-line positron emission tomography-computerized tomography was true positive in 1, false-positive in 2, false-negative in 9 and true negative in 8 patients. The largest lymph node metastasis not seen with [18F]fluorocholine combined in-line positron emission tomography-computerized tomography was 8 mm. Laparoscopic sentinel guided lymph node dissection revealed lymph node metastases in 8 of 10 patients. In the other 2 patients sentinel lymph node dissection was not conclusive. In 1 patient normal nodal tissue was completely replaced by cancer and, therefore, there was no tracer uptake in the involved pelvic sidewall/node, and the other patient had no tracer activity at all in the involved pelvic sidewall. Extended pelvic lymph node dissection missed 1 lymph node metastasis (2 mm diameter near pudendal artery) which was detected by sentinel pelvic lymph node dissection only. CONCLUSIONS: Extended pelvic lymph node dissection reveals a higher number of lymph node metastases as described for obturator fossa dissection only. [18F]fluorocholine combined in-line positron emission tomography-computerized tomography is not useful in searching for occult lymph node metastases in clinically localized prostate cancer. Sentinel guided pelvic lymph node dissection allows the detection of even small lymph node metastases. The accuracy of sentinel pelvic lymph node dissection is comparable to that of extended pelvic lymph node dissection when the limitations of the method are taken into consideration.     

Pelvic lymph node dissection for invasive bladder cancer

From 1979 through 1988, 64 men and 16 women (age range 36-82; mean 63 years) with bladder cancer underwent pelvic lymph node dissection and radical cystectomy with urinary diversion. Bilateral common iliac, external iliac, internal iliac, obturator and presacral nodes were removed and examined. The frequency of involvement of each nodal group was the highest at the common iliac and the external iliac nodes followed by the obturator, presacral and internal iliac nodes. The incidence of lymph node metastasis increased with the tumor grade and pathological stage. The incidence of positive nodes is 3.7% in patients with P1 tumors, 10% in P2, and 17% in P3 tumors. Of these patients, 9 were with nodal metastasis; seven died of metastatic cancer 3 to 37 months post-operatively, two were alive for 4 to 41 months without evidence of recurrence. The mean survival time was significantly longer than that of the historical control group (1975-1978 total cystectomy without node dissection).     

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目的 探讨中下段直肠癌侧方淋巴结转移规律及影响因素。方法 对1995－2000年行侧方淋巴结清扫的105例直肠癌病人进行回顾性分析。结果 中下段直肠癌侧方转移率为21％，肿瘤的大小、部位、病理分型、分化程度及浸润深度是影响侧方转移的重要因素。在侧方淋巴结转移阳性病人中，单纯闭孔及髂内淋巴结转移阳性病人占54．5％，单纯髂外及髂总淋巴结转移阳性病人为18．1％。侧方淋巴结转移阴性病人术后局部复发率为6．7％，阳性病人为36．3％。行侧方清扫局部复发率较传统术式由17．6％降至11．4％。侧方转移阴性病人平均生存期为88个月，阳性病人为37个月，二者差异有显著性。结论 侧方淋巴转移是中下段直肠癌淋巴转移的重要途径。闭孔和髂内淋巴结是侧方淋巴结清扫中需要着重清扫的部位。侧方淋巴清扫较传统术式可明显降低局部复发率。     

Pattern of node metastases in patients treated with radical cystectomy and extended or superextended pelvic lymph node dissection due to bladder cancer

Background

Pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) has a diagnostic and therapeutic role during radical cystectomy in bladder cancer patients. However, at the time, no prospective data supports the value of extended PLND in improving survival expectances. We sought to describe incidence and location of node metastases in patients treated with extended and superextended PLND.

膀胱癌淋巴结转移特点及对合理施行盆腔淋巴结清扫术的临床意义

目的 探讨膀胱癌淋巴结转移特点及其在根治手术中合理施行盆腔淋巴结清扫术的临床意义. 方法收集1990年1月至2008年9月因膀胱癌行全膀胱切除术77例患者的临床病理资料.男58例,女19例.平均年龄57岁.术后TNM分期:T1 9例,T2 24例,T3 39例,T4 5例.常规将盆腔淋巴结分5组,比较各组转移率和阳性淋巴结检出率.转移率为发生淋巴结转移患者的例数占全部患者的百分比.阳性淋巴结检出率为转移淋巴结枚数占全部检取淋巴结总枚数的百分比. 结果全组淋巴结总转移率和阳性淋巴结检出率分别为27.3%(21/77)和14.8%(233/1576).各组转移率由高到低依次为闭孔、髂内、髂外、髂总和骶前,分别为19.5%(15/77)、19.3%(11/57)、13.7%(10/73)、5.3%(3/57)和3.8%(1/26),差异有统计学意义(P<0.01).各组阳性淋巴结检出率由高到低依次为髂外、闭孔、髂总、髂内和骶前,分别为23.0%(83/361)、22.1%(103/467)、9.5%(17/179)、6.8%(28/411)和1.3%(2/158),差异有统计学意义(P<0.01).9例T1患者均无淋巴结转移. 结论膀胱癌行根治术时,对淋巴结转移率高的闭孔和髂内区域必须清扫,对阳性淋巴结检出率高的髂外和闭孔区域要完整清扫.根据术中闭孔、骶前的可疑淋巴结活检是否阳性,确定盆腔淋巴清扫范围.对非肌层浸润性膀胱癌患者不建议行淋巴结清扫术.     

Value of frozen sections of lymph nodes in pelvic lymphadenectomy in patients with invasive bladder tumor

AIM: We examined the reliability of classical lymph node evaluation methods. We compared the results of preoperative computed tomography (CT) and perioperative frozen section examination of lymph nodes in patients on whom radical cystectomy was performed because of invasive bladder tumors. METHODS: A total of 142 patients, in whom radical cystectomy was performed because of invasive bladder tumors between the years 1994 and 2005 in our clinic, and 284 pelvic lymph node regions were evaluated retrospectively. For each of the pelvic lymph node region, the conditions of the lymph nodes according to CT and in frozen sections were compared with the final pathology reports of the surgical specimens. RESULTS: Lymph node involvement was found in 36 pelvic regions out of 284 in the final pathology. It had been possible to show only two of the 36 positive lymph nodes in preoperative CT. Frozen section results of the 29 pelvic lymph node regions out of 36 that were involved according to the final pathology were positive also according to frozen section results. On the other hand, in all the 29 lymph node regions those that were positive according to frozen section had lymph node involvement in the final pathology. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend the performance of frozen section examination on obturator plus internal iliac lymph nodes when deciding extended lymph node dissection, and the performance of extended lymph node dissection only if the result is positive.