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Updated: Feb 17, 2026

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An Orthotopic Murine Model of Human Prostate Cancer Metastasis
Published on: September 18, 2013
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Can Anterior Prostatic Fat Harbor Prostate Cancer Metastasis? A Prospective Cohort Study.
Mohannad Hosny1, Bhavan Rai1, Feras Aljaafari1
1Hertfordshire and South Bedfordshire Urological Cancer Centre, Department of Urology, Lister Hospital, Stevenage, UK.
Current Urology
|December 14, 2017
Summary
Anterior prostatic fat (APF) contains lymphoid tissue and metastatic cancer in some radical prostatectomy patients. Including APF in lymph node dissection may improve cancer staging and treatment.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Surgical Oncology
- Pathology
Background:
- Anterior prostatic fat (APF) is not typically included in pelvic lymph node (LN) dissection templates after radical prostatectomy.
- The presence of lymphoid tissue and metastatic cancer within the APF is not well-established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the incidence of lymphoid tissue in the APF.
- To determine the rate of LN metastasis within the APF in patients undergoing robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALP).
Main Methods:
- Prospective database of RALP patients from January 2010 to September 2015.
- Routine excision and separate histopathological evaluation of APF for lymphoid tissue and metastatic prostate cancer.
Main Results:
- 629 patients underwent RALP.
- Lymphoid tissue was found in 7.3% of APF specimens.
- Two patients (0.3%) had metastatic disease in the APF LNs; both were intermediate-risk pre-operatively and upgraded to high-risk post-operatively.
Conclusions:
- Lymphatic drainage from the prostate to the APF is evident.
- APF should be considered for inclusion in pelvic LN dissection templates during radical prostatectomy when lymphadenectomy is indicated.

