Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 2, 2026
06:46
Caudal-to-cranial Approach in Laparoscopic Right Hemicolectomy with Complete Mesocolon Excision and D3 Lymph Node Dissection
Published on: January 9, 2026
533
Lymph node dissection during cystectomy for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer: A systematic review
Sean Lim1, Lucielle Standish1, Harrison Liu2
1Department of Urology Monash Health Berwick Australia.
BJUI Compass
|May 1, 2026
Summary
Pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) during radical cystectomy (RC) improves survival for high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), especially pT1 disease. Routine PLND is not supported for low-risk NMIBC.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Oncology
- Surgical Oncology
Background:
- Radical cystectomy (RC) is standard for muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) and high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC).
- Pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) during RC for MIBC shows survival benefits.
- The oncologic value of PLND in NMIBC is uncertain.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the oncologic benefit of PLND in NMIBC patients undergoing RC.
Main Methods:
- Systematic search of MEDLINE, Embase, and PubMed (1989-2025).
- Included 21 retrospective studies (n=35,793) of NMIBC patients undergoing RC with or without PLND.
- Data extraction and quality assessment using ROBINS-I and MINORS.
Main Results:
- Lymph node positivity ranged from 0% to 13%.
- PLND consistently improved overall and cancer-specific survival, particularly in pT1 subgroups.
- Pathological upstaging occurred in 16%-36% of cases; benefits were inconsistent for Ta/Tis disease.
Conclusions:
- PLND improves staging and survival in high-risk NMIBC, especially pT1 disease.
- Routine PLND for low-risk Ta/Tis disease is not supported.
- Standardized PLND definitions and prospective evaluation are needed.
