[Diagnosis of pelvic lymph node involvement in carcinoma of the prostate]

In 64 patients with prostate carcinoma localized on a gland or pelvic lymph nodes the authors evaluated the possibility of non-surgical assessment of lymphatic metastases. The results were compared with conclusions of histological examination of the nodes obtained by pelvic lymphadenectomy. The stage and histological classification of primary prostate disease correlates to a certain extent with affection of the nodes. The serum levels of ACP and ACPT are elevated in some of the patients with metastases in the pelvic lymph nodes. Both these method enable us to make certain predictions, in particular when the methods are used in combination. However, they cannot replace lymphadenectomy completely. The reliability of bipedal lymphography is 26.4%. Therefore this method, similarly as isotope lymphography, is quite inadequate for evaluation of the condition of the lymphatic system.