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Bladder cancer: pelvic lymphadenectomy revisited
1Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10021.
Journal of Surgical Oncology
|April 1, 1988
Summary
Pelvic lymphadenectomy during cystectomy for bladder cancer has minimal survival impact. However, its role in staging and therapy is evolving with chemotherapy, redefining its value in managing invasive bladder cancer.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Oncology
Background:
- The role of pelvic lymphadenectomy in bladder cancer treatment is debated.
- Its direct impact on survival for all patients is considered minimal.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the current value of pelvic lymphadenectomy in bladder cancer management.
- To understand its evolving role in conjunction with systemic chemotherapy.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature and clinical practices regarding pelvic lymphadenectomy in cystectomy for bladder cancer.
- Analysis of the impact of lymph node excision on patient outcomes and staging.
Main Results:
- Pelvic lymphadenectomy offers minimal survival benefit for the general bladder cancer population.
- A small percentage of patients may benefit from positive lymph node excision.
- The procedure is increasingly recognized for its importance in staging and therapeutic strategies.
Conclusions:
- Pelvic lymphadenectomy's contribution to overall survival in bladder cancer is limited.
- Its value is being redefined, particularly in combination with advanced systemic chemotherapy.
- The procedure remains important for accurate staging and as part of a multimodal treatment approach for invasive bladder cancer.