[Indications for lymphography in bladder cancer]

Proceeding from an analysis of the clinical and x-ray findings on 333 bladder cancer patients the frequency of lymphogenic metastatic spread was determined with relation to a degree of local extent of disease: T1 and T2--no metastases; T3a--metastases in 11.5%; T3b--in 30.3%; T4a--in 36.4%; T4b--in 50% of the cases. Metastases were mainly detected in the external inguinal lymph nodes. The lumbar lymph node involvement was always combined with tumorous changes in the pelvic lymphatic plexuses. Indications to lymphography with relation to a primary tumor spread (T3a, T3b and T4a) were defined. The authors determined the role of x-ray monitoring and repeated lymphography for the detection of metastases and a study of their regression caused by therapeutic measures.