The role of lymphadenectomy in prostate cancer

It has been shown that an adequate lymphadenectomy for exact staging of prostate cancer consists of removal of all the tissue along the external iliac vein, in the obturator fossa and along the internal iliac artery. Morbidity associated with this procedure is low, if certain technical details are respected. This review discusses in detail the indications for lymphadenectomy and the extent of dissection, based on the localization of the positive nodes. The potential therapeutic impact of extended lymph node dissection in men with prostate cancer is also addressed.