[Lymphogenic metastasis in prostate carcinoma and radiation therapy]

Our examinations allow the following conclusions: 1. Before the beginning of a curative radiotherapy of the carcinoma of the prostate gland in a negative and questionably positive lymphogramme the pelvic lymphadenectomy with histologic examination of the lymph nodes is indicated. 2. In the negative findings of the histologically examined lymph nodes an exclusive local tumour irradiation is justified. 3. If in regional and negative findings micrometastases appear in the area of juxtaregional lymph nodes the additional curative irradiation of the pelvic lymph nodes seems to be indicated for the comprehension of the regional lymph nodes. 4. When there are micrometastases in the area of the aa. iliacae communes or macroscopically extended metastases in the regional and juxtaregional lymph area, so we regard as a rule a radiotherapy of the carcinoma of the prostate gland no more indicated and recommend a contrasexual treatment. The necessary expansion of the radiotherapy is according to our hitherto existing experiences badly tolerated by the for the most part older patients. 5. The intraoperative labelling of the prostate gland and the determination of the size of the prostate gland facilitate the localisation of the tumour for the radiotherapist.