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.

The Role of Lymphadenectomy in Radical Cystectomy

Detection of lymph node metastases in patients undergoing radical cystectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) for bladder cancer indicates poor prognosis. For pretreatment assessment of lymph node status, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are generally performed, both of which show a low sensitivity of approximately 30%. Newer imaging techniques are being developed; however, it will take time until they can be used in everyday clinical practice. Therefore, PLND remains the only reliable method for lymph node staging in the pelvis. The extent of PLND remains a matter of discussion, but a recent study mapping the lymphatic drainage from the bladder suggests that the template for an appropriate PLND at cystectomy should include the external iliac, obturator, and internal iliac region (lateral and medial to the internal iliac vessels) as well as the common iliac vessels up to the uretero-iliac junctions bilaterally. Additionally, the lymph nodes of the fossa of Marcille should be removed. Questions remain about whether it is worthwhile to resect the few draining lymph nodes between the uretero-iliac junctions and the inferior mesenteric artery with regard to both the increased risk of complications and the injury to the autonomic sympathetic nerves. In addition, PLND at the time of radical cystectomy not only is associated with more accurate staging but also allows removal of undetected micrometastases in patients with bladder cancer. Evidence is growing that extended PLND in patients with bladder cancer may confer a survival benefit for node-positive and node-negative patients without increasing morbidity.     

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.     

The number of nodes removed as well as the template of the dissection is independently correlated to cancer-specific survival after radical cystectomy for muscle-invasive bladder cancer

Purpose

To assess the impact of the number of lymph nodes removed and of the template of dissection during radical cystectomy for bladder cancer on patients’ survival rates.

Materials and methods

We evaluated 282 consecutive patients who underwent radical cystectomy for muscle-invasive or high-grade superficial bladder cancer between 1995 and 2011. Exclusion criteria were incomplete follow-up data and neo-adjuvant or adjuvant treatments. Patients were divided into groups according to the most informative cut-point of number of lymph nodes retrieved and of the template of dissection. The cancer-specific survival rates were estimated by the Kaplan–Meier method. The univariate and multivariable forward-stepwise Cox proportional hazards regression were applied to analyze the survival outcomes.

Results

The mean (SD) follow-up was 59.2 ± 44.3 months, and the mean (SD) age of the entire cohort population was 68.3 ± 8.3 years. The cancer-specific survival rates were 58.7 and 47.7 % at 5 and 10 years, respectively. Considering both node-positive and node-negative patients, those with at least 14 LNs removed and those submitted to extended or super-extended PLND experienced significantly higher cancer-specific survival at both univariate and multivariable analysis.

Conclusions

Patients undergoing a more extended pelvic lymph node dissection, both in terms of number of LN removed and in terms of template of dissection, will experience a better cancer-specific survival. Our data support a potential role of lymphadenectomy on cancer outcome.     

The Impact of Lymphadenectomy and Lymph Node Metastasis on the Outcomes of Radical Cystectomy for Bladder Cancer

Context

The presence of lymph node metastases and the extent of lymphadenectomy have both been shown to influence the outcome of patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

Objective

Current standards for detection of lymph node metastases, lymph-node mapping studies, histopathologic techniques, and risk factors in relation to lymph node involvement are discussed. The impact of lymph node metastases and the extent of lymphadenectomy on the outcome of patients treated with radical cystectomy are analyzed.

Evidence acquisition

A systematic literature review of bladder cancer and lymph nodes was performed searching the electronic databases Pubmed/Medline, Cochrane, and Embase. Articles were selected based on title, abstract, study format, and content by a consensus of all participating authors.

Evidence synthesis

Lymph node status is highly consequential in bladder cancer patients because the presence of lymph node metastases is predictive of poor outcome. Knowledge of primary landing sites of lymph node metastases is important for optimum therapeutic management. Accurate pathologic work-ups of resected lymph node tissue are mandatory. Molecular markers could potentially guide therapeutic decisions in the future because they may enable the detection of micrometastatic disease. In current series, radical cystectomy with an extended lymphadenectomy seems to provide a clinically meaningful therapeutic benefit compared with a limited approach. However, the anatomic boundaries of lymph node dissection are still under debate. Therefore, large prospective multicenter trials are needed to validate the influence of extended lymph node dissection on disease-specific survival.

Conclusions

An extended pelvic lymph node dissection (encompassing the external iliac vessels, the obturator fossa, the lateral and medial aspects of the internal iliac vessels, and at least the distal half of the common iliac vessels together with its bifurcation) can be curative in patients with metastasis or micrometastasis to a few nodes. Therefore, the procedure may be offered to all patients undergoing radical cystectomy for invasive bladder cancer.     

Robotic extended pelvic lymphadenectomy for bladder cancer with increased nodal yield

Study Type – Therapy (case series)
Level of Evidence 4 What’s known on the subject? and What does the study add? The standard of care for invasive bladder cancer is open radical cystectomy with the extent of pelvic lymph node dissection impacting oncological outcomes. Scepticism remains regarding whether an adequate node dissection can be performed in minimally‐invasive fashion as previously reported nodal yields of laparoscopic or robotic lymphadenectomy are well below those reported with open surgery. This study demonstrates that extended pelvic lymphadenectomy can be performed robotically with equivalent nodal yields to open series from centres of excellence.

OBJECTIVE

? To report our initial experience with robot‐assisted extended pelvic lymph node dissection (ePLND) using a standardized open template.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

? In total, 15 consecutive patients underwent robotic radical cystectomy at a single center by a single surgeon using a standard dissection template. ? Operating time, time to perform ePLND, pathological stage, estimated blood loss, length of hospital stay, number of nodes obtained and nodal positivity were assessed. Postoperative complications and re‐admissions were reviewed.

RESULTS

? The mean (range) age and body mass index was 66 (46–87) years and 29 (22–43) kg/m², respectively. The mean (range) operating time and ePLND time was 423 (300–506) min and 107 (66–160) min. Mean (range) estimated blood loss was 160 (50–500) mL. ? The mean (range) and median length of hospital stay were 3.4 (3–7) days and 3 days, respectively. The mean (range) nodal yield was 41.8 (18–67) nodes, with greater than 25 nodes in 13 patients. ? Three patients were found to have nodal positivity. Of the fifteen patients, four received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Two patients were re‐admitted for postoperative complications within 30 days. ? There were no complications directly resulting from the ePLND.

CONCLUSIONS

? Robot‐assisted ePLND at the time of cystectomy can be safely and effectively performed on the robotic platform with comparable nodal yields to open series at centers of excellence for cystectomy. ? Nodal yields are likely to comprise a factor related to the effort of the surgeon, and not the method by which the lymphadenectomy is performed.     

Current status of establishing standards for lymphadenectomy in the treatment of bladder cancer

PURPOSE: Pelvic lymph node dissection at the time of radical cystectomy is a crucial component of the surgical management of invasive bladder cancer. No established therapeutic or diagnostic guidelines regarding pelvic lymph node dissection are, however, currently available. We reviewed the past and contemporary literature to clarify the current role of pelvic lymph node dissection both as a staging modality as well as potential therapeutic intervention. RECENT FINDINGS: The role of pelvic lymph node dissection has evolved over the past 60 years. Although the added benefits of radical cystectomy over simple cystectomy alone are accepted, an optimal template for pelvic lymph node dissection has not been established. Increasing evidence suggesting therapeutic and diagnostic benefits by extending the boundaries of lymphadenectomy or by increasing the number of nodes excised has been reported. Much of the recent literature, however, is based on retrospective studies, and is influenced by factors such as node count variability, inconsistencies in the quality of the surgery, and the biases in patient selection. Currently, the optimal boundaries of pelvic lymph node dissection and the minimum number of nodes to be pathologically examined remain undetermined. SUMMARY: The diagnostic and therapeutic benefits obtained by extending the limits of lymphadenectomy are compelling but inconclusive. Establishing standards for pelvic lymph node dissection will not only increase the consistency of staging and improve the design and interpretation of clinical trials in invasive bladder cancer but also help to identify and optimize the therapeutic benefits of lymphadenectomy. Prospective, randomized trials will be needed to properly establish the extent of lymphadenectomy required to obtain such benefits.     

Lymphadenectomy in bladder cancer: How high is “high enough”?

PURPOSE: The role of a regional lymphadenectomy in the surgical treatment of high-grade, invasive transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder has evolved over the last several decades. Although the application of a lymphadenectomy for bladder cancer is not significantly debated, the absolute extent or level of proximal dissection of the lymphadenectomy remains a controversial issue. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A review of the literature should help elucidate the rationale and extent of an appropriate lymphadenectomy in patients undergoing radical cystectomy for bladder cancer. Various surgical issues of lymphadenectomy as well as prognostic factors in patients undergoing radical cystectomy for bladder cancer are examined. RESULTS: A growing body of evidence, spanning from early autopsy and cadaveric studies to recent retrospective series and multicenter prospective trials, suggests that an extended lymph node dissection (cephalad extent to include the common iliac arteries) may provide not only prognostic information but also provide a therapeutic benefit for both patients with lymph node-positive and lymph node-negative disease undergoing radical cystectomy for bladder cancer. Although the absolute boundaries of the lymphadenectomy remain a subject of controversy, historical reports confirmed by recent lymphatic mapping studies suggest the inclusion of the common iliac as well as possibly presacral nodes in the routine lymphadenectomy for transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. The need to extend the dissection higher to include the distal para-aortic and paracaval lymph nodes may be important in select individuals but remains more controversial. The extent of the primary bladder tumor (p-stage), number of lymph nodes removed, the lymph node tumor burden (tumor volume), and lymph node density (number of lymph nodes involved/number of lymph nodes removed) are all important prognostic variables in patients undergoing cystectomy with pathologic evidence of lymph node metastases. Systemic adjuvant chemotherapy remains a mainstay of treatment of patients with lymph node metastases. CONCLUSIONS: Radical cystectomy with an appropriately performed lymphadenectomy provides the best survival outcomes and lowest local recurrence rates. Although the absolute limits of the lymph node dissection remain to be determined, evidence supports a more extended lymphadenectomy to include the common iliac vessels and presacral lymph nodes at cystectomy in patients who are appropriate surgical candidates. When feasible, adjuvant chemotherapy is warranted in patients with positive nodal metastasis.     

The role of lymphadenectomy in high-grade invasive bladder cancer

Radical cystectomy with bilateral pelvic iliac lymphadenectomy is a standard treatment for high-grade, invasive bladder cancer. Cystectomy arguably provides the best survival outcomes and the lowest local recurrence rates. Although the extent or absolute limits of the lymph node dissection are unknown and remain to be better defined, an ever-growing body of data supports a more extended lymphadenectomy at the time of cystectomy in all patients who are appropriate surgical candidates. An extended lymph node dissection should include the distal para-aortic and paracaval lymph nodes as well as the pre-sacral nodes, known anatomic sites of lymph node drainage from the bladder and potential sites of lymph node metastases in patients with bladder cancer. An extended dissection may provide a survival advantage in patients with node-positive and node-negative tumors without significantly increasing the morbidity or mortality of the surgery. The extent of the primary bladder tumor (p stage), the number of lymph nodes removed, and the lymph node tumor burden are important prognostic variables in patients undergoing cystectomy with pathologic evidence of lymph node metastases. Lymph node density may become an even more useful prognostic variable in these high-risk, node-positive patients with bladder cancer. This concept simultaneously incorporates the lymph node tumor burden (number of lymph nodes involved) and the number of lymph nodes removed (extent of the lymphadenectomy), improving the stratification of lymph node-positive patients following radical cystectomy. This notion may also be useful in future staging systems. Adjuvant therapies and clinical trials should consider applying these concepts, because they may help reduce bias and incorporate the extent of the lymphadenectomy, which currently is not standardized.     

Anatomic Extent of Pelvic Lymphadenectomy in Bladder Cancer

ContextThe rationale for locoregional staging lymphadenectomy in bladder cancer lies in the accurate diagnosis of occult micrometastases to stratify patients who might benefit from adjuvant therapeutic measures. In bladder cancer, pelvic lymphadenectomy (PLA) as a common procedure of radical cystectomy has not been standardized, although evidence supports a relationship between the extent of lymph node dissection and therapeutic outcome.Evidence acquisitionRecent retrospective and prospective clinical trials have carefully analyzed the distribution of lymph node metastases at time of radical cystectomy, thereby identifying those regions that should be included in a standard pelvic lymph node dissection.Evidence synthesisDissecting all lymphatic tissue along the common iliac region—with the aortic bifurcation as cranial margin—along the external, internal iliac region, and the obturator fossae bilaterally will completely clear 80% of all positive nodes. Only if frozen section examination will demonstrate micrometastases at these regions will extending lymphadenectomy further cranially be worthwhile.ConclusionsCurrently, extended PLA in bladder cancer has been shown to improve progression-free survival if >14 lymph nodes are removed. For the future, prospective trials have to demonstrate a benefit with regard to cancer-specific and overall survival and in terms of regional versus distant recurrences.     

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。     

Radical cystectomy with extended lymphadenectomy in the presence of a pelvic kidney

The pelvic kidney represents the most common form of congenital renal ectopia. Because of its location, variable vasculature, and short ureteral length, the presence of a pelvic kidney in a patient undergoing radical cystectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy creates unique technical challenges for the urologic surgeon. We describe a patient with a right pelvic kidney and invasive bladder cancer for whom radical cystectomy with extended pelvic iliac lymph node dissection and ileal conduit was performed.     

Lymph node metastasis in bladder cancer

OBJECTIVE: We reviewed the literature on nodal staging in patients with bladder cancer treated with radical cystectomy and lymphadenectomy. RESULTS: Fractionating the lymph node specimen significantly increases the node count, whereas results are contradictory as to whether that increase improves detection of positive nodes. Pathoanatomic data indicate that extending lymph node dissection to the aortic bifurcation improves nodal staging. That approach might be beneficial, especially in cases of T3/T4a tumours, which more often have lymph node metastases above the iliac bifurcation as compared to less advanced tumours. In node-negative patients, extended lymph node dissection probably removes undetected micrometastases and thereby increases disease-free survival. Four studies suggested that a minimum of 8, 10, 10-14, and 16 nodes must be removed, to improve survival, and in another investigation aortic bifurcation was proposed as the upper limit for dissection. Some patients with positive nodes can be cured by surgery alone, even those with gross adenopathy. There is no evidence that extended lymphadenectomy increases surgery-related morbidity. The TNM classification is apparently insufficient for stratifying node-positive patients because several larger cystectomy series could not verify differences in survival between N groups. CONCLUSIONS: Fractionating the lymphadenectomy specimen increases the lymph node count. In node-negative patients, more meticulous and extended lymph node dissection (8-16 nodes or to the aortic bifurcation) probably improves disease-free survival by removing undetected micrometastases. Patients with positive lymph nodes should also be offered radical cystectomy.     

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。     

Rolle der Lymphadenektomie bei Patienten mit invasivem Urothelkarzinom der Harnblase

High-grade urothelial carcinomas of the bladder represent high-risk tumors and despite radical surgery and pelvic lymph node dissection patients have a lifelong risk for tumor progression and metastases. Since extended lymph node dissection detected metastases outside the fields of normal pelvic lymphadenectomy, it was concluded that all patients undergoing radical cystectomy should receive extended lymph node dissection. The article reviews published data discussing the question of whether lymph node dissection has prognostic or therapeutic relevance.     

Lymph node-positive bladder cancer treated with radical cystectomy and lymphadenectomy: effect of the level of node positivity

Background

The extent of lymphadenectomy needed to optimize oncologic outcomes after radical cystectomy (RC) for patients with regionally advanced bladder cancer (BCa) is unclear.

Objective

Evaluate the effect of the location of lymph node metastasis on recurrence-free survival (RFS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) for patients undergoing RC with a mapping pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND).

Design, setting, and participants

A study of 591 patients undergoing RC with mapping PLND was completed between 2000 and 2010. Median follow-up was 30 mo.

Intervention

RC with mapping PLND.

Measurements

We evaluated the impact of lymph node involvement by location on disease outcomes using the 2010 TNM staging system. Survival estimates were described using Kaplan-Meier methods. Gender, age, pathologic stage, histology, number of positive nodes, location of positive nodes, node density, use of perioperative chemotherapy, and grade were evaluated as predictors of RFS and CSS using multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression.

Results and limitations

Overall, 114 patients (19%) had lymph node involvement, and 42 patients (7%) had pN3 disease. On multivariate analysis, the number of positive lymph nodes (one or two or more) was significantly associated with increased risk of cancer-specific death (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.9 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.04–3.46], p = 0.036; versus HR: 4.3 [95% CI, 2.25–8.34], p < 0.0005). Positive lymph node location was not an independent predictor of RFS or CSS. Five-year RFS for pN3 patients undergoing RC with PLND was 25% (95% CI, 10–42). This finding was not statistically different from our pN1 and pN2 patients (38% [95% CI, 22–54] and 35% [95% CI, 11–60], respectively). This study is limited by the lack of prospective randomization and a control group.

Conclusions

The outcome for patients with involved common iliac lymph nodes was similar to the outcome for patients with primary nodal basin disease. These data support inclusion of the common iliac lymph nodes (pN3) in the nodal staging system for BCa. Lymph node location was not an independent predictor of outcome, whereas the number of positive lymph nodes was an independent predictor of worse oncologic outcome (pN1, pN2). Further refinements of the TNM system to provide improved prognostication are warranted.     

Pelvic Lymph Node Dissection During Robot-assisted Radical Prostatectomy: Efficacy,Limitations, and Complications—A Systematic Review of the Literature

Context

Pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) in prostate cancer is the most effective method for detecting lymph node metastases. However, a decline in the rate of PLND during radical prostatectomy (RP) has been noted. This is likely the result of prostate cancer stage migration in the prostate-specific antigen-screening era, and the introduction of minimally invasive approaches such as robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP).

Objective

To assess the efficacy, limitations, and complications of PLND during RARP.

Evidence acquisition

A review of the literature was performed using the Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science databases with no restriction of language from January 1990 to December 2012. The literature search used the following terms: prostate cancer, radical prostatectomy, robot-assisted, and lymph node dissection.

Evidence synthesis

The median value of nodal yield at PLND during RARP ranged from 3 to 24 nodes. As seen in open and laparoscopic RP series, the lymph node positivity rate increased with the extent of dissection during RARP. Overall, PLND-only related complications are rare. The most frequent complication after PLND is symptomatic pelvic lymphocele, with occurrence ranging from 0% to 8% of cases. The rate of PLND-associated grade 3–4 complications ranged from 0% to 5%. PLND is associated with increased operative time. Available data suggest equivalence of PLND between RARP and other surgical approaches in terms of nodal yield, node positivity, and intraoperative and postoperative complications.

Conclusions

PLND during RARP can be performed effectively and safely. The overall number of nodes removed, the likelihood of node positivity, and the types and rates of complications of PLND are similar to pure laparoscopic and open retropubic procedures.     

The Learning Curve for Robot-Assisted Radical Cystectomy

Objective:

Robot-assisted radical cystectomy has the potential to cure patients from bladder cancer while offering the benefits of minimally invasive surgery. We sought to evaluate the learning curve for this technically demanding procedure.

Materials and Methods:

Robot-assisted radical cystectomy was attempted in 100 consecutive patients. An IRB-approved review of our robot-assisted radical cystectomy database was conducted. Total operative (OR) time, cystectomy time, pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) time, estimated blood loss (EBL), margin positivity, complications, and length of hospital stay were compared among patients divided into 4 cohorts of increasing surgical experience. Scattergrams and continuous curves were plotted to develop a robotic cystectomy learning curve.

Results:

Overall OR time decreased from 375 minutes in cohort 1 to 352 minutes in cohort 4, with less than 1% change in OR time after case 16. Time from incision to bladder extirpation decreased from 187 minutes in cohort one to 165 minutes in cohort 4. Time for PLND increased from 44 minutes in cohort 1 to 77 minutes in cohort 4. Lymph node yield increased from 14 nodes in cohort 1 to 23 nodes in cohort 4. Positive surgical margins decreased from 4 patients in cohort 1 to 0 patient in cohort 4. The complication rate had no change from 9 patients in cohort 1 to 9 patients in cohort 4.

Conclusion:

Operative results and oncologic outcomes for robot-assisted radical cystectomy constantly improve as the technique evolves.     

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.     

Pelvic Lymph Node Dissection in Prostate Cancer

Context

Pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) is considered the most reliable procedure for the detection of lymph node metastases in prostate cancer (PCa); however, the therapeutic benefit of PLND in PCa management is currently under debate.

Objective

To systematically review the available literature concerning the role of PLND and its extent in PCa staging and outcome. All of the existing recommendations and staging tools determining the need for PLND were also assessed. Moreover, a systematic review was performed of the long-term outcome of node-positive patients stratified according to the extent of nodal invasion.

Evidence acquisition

A Medline search was conducted to identify original and review articles as well as editorials addressing the significance of PLND in PCa. Keywords included prostate cancer, pelvic lymph node dissection, radical prostatectomy, imaging, and complications. Data from the selected studies focussing on the role of PLND in PCa staging and outcome were reviewed and discussed by all of the contributing authors.

Evidence synthesis

Despite recent advances in imaging techniques, PLND remains the most accurate staging procedure for the detection of lymph node invasion (LNI) in PCa. The rate of LNI increases with the extent of PLND. Extended PLND (ePLND; ie, removal of obturator, external iliac, hypogastric with or without presacral and common iliac nodes) significantly improves the detection of lymph node metastases compared with limited PLND (lPLND; ie, removal of obturator with or without external iliac nodes), which is associated with poor staging accuracy. Because not all patients with PCa are at the same risk of harbouring nodal metastases, several nomograms and tables have been developed and validated to identify candidates for PLND. These tools, however, are based mostly on findings derived from lPLND dissections performed in older patient series. According to these prediction models, a staging PLND might be omitted in low-risk PCa patients because of the low rate of lymph node metastases found, even after extended dissections (<8%). The outcome for patients with positive nodes is not necessarily poor. Indeed, patients with low-volume nodal metastases experience excellent survival rates, regardless of adjuvant treatment. But despite few retrospective studies reporting an association between PLND and PCa progression and survival, the exact impact of PLND on patient outcomes has not yet been clearly proven because of the lack of prospective randomised trials.

Conclusions

On the basis of current data, we suggest that if a PLND is indicated, then it should be extended. Conversely, in view of the low rate of LNI among patients with low-risk PCa, a staging ePLND might be spared in this patient category. Whether this approach is also safe from oncologic perspectives is still unknown. Patients with low-volume nodal metastases have a good long-term prognosis; to what extent this prognosis is the result of a positive impact of PLND on PCa outcomes is still to be determined.