Factors associated with mesorectal lymph node metastasis in prostate cancer patients

To evaluate radiological and pathological factors associated with mesorectal lymph node (MLN) metastases in prostate cancer patients, as detected by Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA) imaging with Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (PET/CT).

In a retrospective case-control study of 135 prostate cancer patients who underwent PSMA PET/CT between January 2022 and October 2024, forty-five patients with positive mesorectal nodal uptake were matched 1:2 with control patients based on age and International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) grade. All patients had multiparametric prostate MR imaging and biopsy results available. We analyzed radiological features (PI-RADS scores, extraprostatic extension, seminal vesicle invasion) and histopathological characteristics (ISUP grade, percentage of positive biopsy cores, cribriform growth, perineural invasion) using univariable and multivariable logistic regression.

In multivariable analysis, two independent factors associated with mesorectal lymph node involvement were identified: presence of non-mesorectal lymph node metastases (OR 32.86, CI: 7.10-152.03, p < 0.001) and larger prostate volume (OR 2.00, CI: 1.14-3.51, p = 0.016). Patients with positive MLN uptake had higher prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels (19.60 vs. 8.23 ng/mL, p = 0.02) and more frequent seminal vesicle invasion (44.4% vs. 26.7%, p = 0.04) in univariable analysis, but these associations were not significant in the multivariable model.

Non-mesorectal lymph node metastases and increased prostate volume are independently associated with mesorectal lymph node involvement in prostate cancer. These findings suggest that careful evaluation of the mesorectal region should be performed in patients with non-mesorectal regional lymph node metastases or larger prostate volumes, potentially impacting treatment planning and radiation field design.