Node exploration in prostatic cancer

Lymph node invasion is an important stage in the development of metastases; it is exceptional for metastases to be found in the absence of lymph node invasion. Radiological investigations have been developed, but lymphangiography, echography and scanners can only be used when invasions have attained a certain volume and they do not recognize microscopic modifications. The use of localized histological samples has been shown to be reliable and not to be as inconvenient as laparotomy, which is a relatively major operation in prostatic cancer patients, who tend to be elderly.