Lymphography and pelvic lymphadenectomy in carcinoma of the prostate

20 of 45 new patients with prostatic carcinoma have undergone lymphography and lymphadenectomy to determine the N-category. The overall accuracy of lymphography was 75%. Lymphadenectomy was a safe procedure with minimal morbidity. Although it would be premature to recommend its universal adoption in the management of this disease, its further application and study seems desirable. Full TNM classification has proved to be of considerable value in the management of these patients. This study confirms that 50% of T3 MO tumours are free of lymph node metastases.