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.     

Selection of patients for laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy prior to radical prostatectomy: A decision analysis

Indications for laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy prior to radical prostatectomy have not been established. Criteria to predict lymph node metastases were derived from the preoperative evaluations of 164 prostate cancer patients undergoing pelvic lymphadenectomy. Decision analysis was used to determine which criteria would be optimal indicators for laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy prior to intended radical prostatectomy. Besides a digital rectal examination suggesting uncontained tumor, which was the best indication for laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy, the most useful criteria were sonographic tumor volume ≥ 3 cc and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) ≥ 20 ng/mL. If either parameter was met, the sensitivity for identifying patients with pelvic lymph node metastases was 88 percent and the positive predictive value was 42 percent. When both were met, the sensitivity fell to 47 percent but the positive predictive value increased to 67 percent. A combination of Gleason biopsy score and PSA was the best criterion that was independent of transrectal ultrasonography. Using a PSA ≥ 15 ng/mL for tumors with Gleason biopsy score ≥ 7 or a PSA ≥ 25 ng/mL for tumors with a Gleason biopsy score of 5–6 had a sensitivity of 71 percent and positive predictive value of 48 percent for identifying patients with pelvic lymph node metastases. In selecting patients for laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy prior to radical retropubic prostatectomy, criteria with a positive predictive value greater than 39 percent maximize the utility of laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy. Prior to radical perineal prostatectomy, laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy will identify pelvic lymph node metastases that would otherwise be undetected by prostatectomy alone. The sensitivity of selection criteria, therefore, should be increased, as long as the positive predictive value remains above 20 percent.     

Laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy in patients with localized prostate cancer]

Laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy is a newly developed technique of lymph node dissection in patients with malignancy of the pelvic organs. Three patients with localized prostatic cancer underwent laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy. The patients were 77 years old with stage C disease, 73 with stage B1, and 65 with stage A2. Five to ten lymph nodes were removed from each patient after laparoscopic procedures lasting 220 to 270 minutes. There were no complications during the procedures and their convalescence was uneventful. All lymph nodes were negative by pathological examination and a radical retropubic prostatectomy was done 2 weeks after the lymphadenectomy in two patients. The other patient was treated with external radiotherapy and bilateral orchiectomy. Patients with stage C cancer, a high serum level of prostate specific antigen or a high grade tumor are the best candidates for this less invasive staging procedure. The disadvantage of this procedure is long operation time and complications due to CO2 pneumoperitoneum.     

Inguinal hernia after radical retropubic prostatectomy for prostate cancer: a study of incidence and risk factors in comparison to no operation and lymphadenectomy

PURPOSE: The incidence, mechanisms and risk factors of inguinal hernia after radical retropubic prostatectomy are sparsely elucidated in the literature. We determined the rate of inguinal hernia after radical retropubic prostatectomy and compared it to the incidence in patients with prostate cancer who did not undergo operation or underwent only pelvic lymph node dissection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We followed 375, 184 and 65 men who underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy plus pelvic lymph node dissection, pelvic lymph node dissection only and no surgery with respect to inguinal hernia for a mean of 39, 47 and 45 months, respectively. The prostatectomy group was also evaluated in regard to the potential risk factors of previous hernia surgery and post-prostatectomy anastomotic stricture. RESULTS: The incidence of hernia was 13.6%, 7.6% and 3.1% in the prostatectomy, lymph node dissection and unoperated group, respectively. The difference was statistically significant in the prostatectomy and unoperated groups according to the Mantel-Cox log rank test and Cox proportional hazards rate. Previous hernial surgery and post-prostatectomy anastomotic stricture were more common in patients with an inguinal hernia after prostatectomy. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of inguinal hernia is clearly increased in men who have undergone radical retropubic prostatectomy plus pelvic lymph node dissection compared with those who undergo no surgery for prostate cancer. Inguinal hernia appears to develop more often in men with prostate cancer who undergo radical retropubic prostatectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection than in those who undergo pelvic lymph node dissection only. While surgical factors trigger hernial development, previous hernial surgery and post-prostatectomy anastomotic stricture may be important risk factors. In fact, the latter may largely explain the difference in the incidence of inguinal hernia in our lymph node dissection and prostatectomy groups. Prophylactic surgical procedures must be evaluated to address this problem.     

When is pelvic lymph node dissection necessary before radical prostatectomy? A decision analysis

PURPOSE: In recent years the role of pelvic lymph node dissection before or at radical prostatectomy has been questioned. We compared the outcome of performing or omitting pelvic lymph node dissection in patients undergoing radical retropubic prostatectomy by formal decision analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We created a decision tree for patients undergoing radical retropubic prostatectomy that accounts for all possible branch points and outcomes. Outcome probabilities applied to the model were derived from published data. Utility values were determined for each outcome state by a panel of experts. Decision analysis was done using decision analysis computer software. Sensitivity analysis was performed to determine which elements in the model were most important and to calculate threshold values. RESULTS: Using probability data from the literature and our assigned outcome values, decision analysis initially favored omitting pelvic lymph node dissection. Sensitivity analysis revealed that the threshold values for the incidence of positive lymph nodes and the sensitivity of lymph node dissection and frozen section analysis at which outcomes were equivalent were 18% and 80%, respectively. Analysis was insensitive to the pelvic lymph node dissection complication rate. CONCLUSIONS: We performed formal decision analysis to determine the incidence of lymph node metastasis below which pelvic lymph node dissection is not warranted at radical retropubic prostatectomy. Our results suggest that lymph node dissection is unnecessary in the subset of patients in which the risk of lymph node involvement is less than 18%.     

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.     

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.     

Extended lymph node dissection for prostate cancer

Lymph node status is an important determinant for the management of patients with newly diagnosed prostate cancer. Given the significant limitations of cross-sectional and functional preoperative imaging in the detection of small metastases, pelvic lymph node dissection remains the only reliable staging method in clinically localized prostate cancer. Although lymph node dissection is a well-established form of staging in prostate cancer, controversy remains about indications and the surgical extent of the procedure. Reported practices vary from omitting pelvic lymph node dissection in low-risk disease to routine pelvic lymph node dissection in all radical prostatectomy patients. This review highlights the recent literature concerning pelvic lymphadenectomy in prostate cancer with respect to anatomical extent and oncologic outcome.     

Parotid selective lymphadenectomy in malignant melanoma.

Malignant melanoma of the head and neck can metastasize to lymph nodes within the parotid gland. Selective lymphadenectomy is the modern method of staging regional lymph node basins in clinically localized melanoma. This procedure involves intraoperative lymphatic mapping and directed, selective removal of the first draining nodes or sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs). Historically, the assessment of parotid lymph nodes would involve a superficial parotidectomy with facial nerve dissection. Since 1993, 28 patients with localized melanoma of the head and neck have demonstrated lymphatic drainage to parotid lymph nodes on preoperative lymphoscintigraphy. The overall success rate of parotid selective lymphadenectomy is 86% (24 of 28 patients). Of the 28 patients, there were 6 early patients in whom blue dye alone was utilized intraoperatively, and the success rate is 50% (3 of 6 patients). When blue dye and radiocolloid mapping techniques are combined, the parotid selective lymphadenectomy is successful in 95% of patients (21 of 22 patients). Four of the 24 patients (17%) had metastases to the SLNs and underwent therapeutic superficial parotidectomy and/or modified radical neck dissection. After completion of the therapeutic superficial parotidectomy, 1 of the 4 patients was found to have an additional parotid (nonsentinel) node with melanoma metastases. None of the patients incurred injury to the facial nerve by parotid selective lymphadenectomy. To date, 2 of 28 patients (7%) have had regional recurrence to the parotid gland. Failure of the SLN technique may occur when blue dye alone is used, when human serum albumin (not sulfur colloid) is the radiocolloid, when prior wide excision and skin graft is present before lymphatic mapping, and when all SLNs are not retrieved. We conclude that parotid selective lymphadenectomy is a safe and reliable alternative to superficial parotidectomy for staging clinically localized melanoma of the head and neck.     

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.     

Standard versus limited pelvic lymph node dissection for prostate cancer in patients with a predicted probability of nodal metastasis greater than 1%

PURPOSE: We determined the yield of standard vs limited pelvic lymphadenectomy in patients with a predicted risk of lymph node metastasis greater than 1% according to the Partin tables predicted probability of pathological stage. We also determined the feasibility of laparoscopic standard pelvic lymph node dissection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of 1,269 patients with clinically localized prostate cancer undergoing radical prostatectomy, 648 had a Partin's table predicted probability of lymph node invasion greater than 1%. Of the 648 patients 177 underwent limited pelvic lymph node dissection performed laparoscopically (group 1), and 471 underwent standard pelvic lymph node dissection performed open (367) or laparoscopically (104) (group 2). Templates of limited pelvic lymph node dissection included the external iliac lymph nodes whereas standard pelvic lymph node dissection included the external iliac, obturator and hypogastric lymph nodes. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to compare the node positivity rate between groups 1 and 2. RESULTS: On multivariate logistic regression analysis controlling for prostate specific antigen, biopsy Gleason sum, clinical stage and surgical approach, the odds of node positivity were 7.15-fold higher (95% CI 2.49-20.5, p<0.001) for standard vs limited pelvic lymph node dissection. The median (mean) number of nodes retrieved was 9 (10) and 14 (15) after limited and standard pelvic lymph node dissection, respectively (p<0.001). A similar impact was observed in patients treated laparoscopically with standard vs limited pelvic lymph node dissection (odds ratio 15.6, 95% CI 3.7-66.4, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Standard lymph node dissection yields positive nodes more frequently and retrieves a higher total nodal count than the often performed pelvic lymph node dissection limited to the external iliac nodes. Standard pelvic lymph node dissection is feasible through a transperitoneal laparoscopic approach.     

阴茎癌根治性髂腹股沟淋巴结清扫术的改进

目的:对根治性髂腹股沟淋巴结清扫手术进行改进,以完整清除淋巴结并减少术后并发症。方法:2003~2004年对20例阴茎鳞状细胞癌患者施行根治性腹股沟淋巴结清扫,其中5例还施行了髂淋巴结清扫。腹股沟区的清扫范围包括腹股沟浅组和深组淋巴结,采用暴露好的直切口,皮瓣厚度适中,切断大隐静脉且不转移缝匠肌。髂淋巴结清扫采用下腹正中切口,术后采用逐步降低的负压吸引促进引流和皮瓣愈合。结果:两侧腹股沟区淋巴结平均为21个,阳性淋巴结平均为1.6个。术后病理检查证实55%的患者有淋巴结转移,纠正了40%的术前分期。术后有1例出现高热和局部感染,另有27.5%的单侧腹股沟区域出现局部并发症,包括皮缘坏死、愈合延迟、皮下积液和淋巴瘘。无一例出现大面积皮片坏死和股血管损伤。结论:改进的根治性髂腹股沟淋巴结清扫手术保证了清扫范围,减少了手术并发症。     

Role of lymphadenectomy in the treatment of bladder cancer

The value of pelvic lymphadenectomy in patients undergoing cystectomy for bladder cancer continues to remain controversial. It has been the authors' policy to perform a complete bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy on all patients for whom radical cystectomy is potentially curative. They discuss distribution and incidence of nodal disease, limits of pelvic node dissection, the technique of pelvic lymphadenectomy, and their results.     

Limited pelvic lymph node dissection at the time of radical prostatectomy does not affect 5-year failure rates for low, intermediate and high risk prostate cancer: results from CaPSURE

PURPOSE: Limited bilateral pelvic lymph node dissection performed at radical prostatectomy provides staging information that is used to guide further disease management. Given the effects of widespread prostate specific antigen testing and stage migration, most procedures in the United States are performed for low risk disease, which has a low probability (less than 1%) of lymph node metastasis. We compared 5-year treatment failure rates in patients with low, intermediate and high risk disease who underwent radical prostatectomy with or without pelvic lymph node dissection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We compared treatment failure rates for radical prostatectomy in 4,693 patients enrolled in the CaPSURE database who underwent radical prostatectomy with or without limited pelvic lymph node dissection. Secondary analysis was performed as a function of pelvic lymph node dissection and risk group based on pretreatment stage, grade and prostate specific antigen. Treatment failure rates were estimated by Kaplan-Meier analysis. RESULTS: The 5-year failure-free survival rate was 70% in the no pelvic lymph node dissection group and 74% in the limited pelvic lymph node dissection group (p = 0.11), while the rates in the low, intermediate and high risk groups were 81% and 82% (p = 0.83), 71% and 63% (p = 0.21), and 42% and 48% (p = 0.45) in the no vs limited pelvic lymph node dissection groups, respectively. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that pelvic lymph node dissection status was not a predictor of treatment failure (p = 0.93). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates in a large cohort of patients that limited pelvic lymph node dissection at radical prostatectomy has no effect on treatment failure rates at 5 years in those at low, intermediate and high risk.     

Pharmacological prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism in contemporary radical retropubic prostatectomy: Does concomitant pelvic lymphadenectomy matter?

The prevention of venous thromboembolism is a major concern in cancer patients undergoing pelvic surgery. Radical retropubic prostatectomy is a common treatment for localized prostate cancer and has been identified as a high risk procedure for postoperative venous thromboembolism. However, most patients diagnosed with prostate cancer in the current era have clinically localized, low volume disease and the risk of venous thromboembolism is very low. Multiple guidelines exist for the prevention of venous thromboembolism in patients undergoing radical retropubic prostatectomy and pharmacological venous thromboembolism prophylaxis is recommended. Most urological surgeons in the USA however, do not routinely utilize pharmacological prophylaxis. A major concern arises when radical retropubic prostatectomy is performed with a concomitant pelvic lymphadenectomy. Pharmacological prophylaxis is known to increase the rate of lymph drainage and the rate of lymphocele formation. Evidence suggests that lymphocele may be an independent risk factor for venous thromboembolism in the postoperative period. These factors raise concern over current guidelines calling for routine use of pharmacological venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in radical retropubic prostatectomy especially when lymphadenectomy is performed simultaneously.     

Anatomical study of perineal pelvic lymphadenectomy

AIM: One of the major disadvantages of radical perineal prostatectomy used to be that lymphadenectomy could not be conducted through the same incision. We anatomically evaluate perineal pelvic lymphadenectomy using cadavers. METHODS: Three male specimens that had been subjected to pathological dissection were examined for perineal pelvic lymphadenectomy and the inside views were shown. Operation time, the number of lymph nodes and the inside views of cadavers were evaluated. RESULTS: We can carry out obturator lymphadenectomy as well as partial internal iliac and external iliac lymphadenectomy between the obturator nerve and external iliac vein under direct vision or laparoscopy in about 20 min. The median number of lymph nodes removed from the three cadavers was eight. It may be easier after prostatectomy because there is then enough space. CONCLUSION: This method resolves one of the major disadvantages of perineal prostatectomy and makes possible a wide variety of perineal operations.     

The usefulness of pelvic lymphadenectomy in bladder cancer

ObjetiveTo assess the usefulness of pelvic lymphadenectomy in bladder cancer.Methods and ResultsWith the followings key words: “bladder cancer, lymphadenectomy, lymph node metastasis” we search in Medline/PubMed database for papers published during the last ten years. Thirty three papers fulfilling the search criteria were selected.ConclusionsIt does not exist any randomized prospective study comparing different pelvic lymphadenectomy techniques. Nodal metastasis in bladder cancer after radical cystectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy ranged between 18% and 28%. Standard lymphadenectomy could improve tumor staging and probably survival in selected patients. It is advisable to remove, as a quality parameter, at least 10 to 14 nodes in a pelvic lymphadenectomy. Lymph node density seems to predict survival better than TNM staging system. It is advisable to perform separate lymph node dissection rather than en-bloc.     

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.     

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.     

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.