Carcinoma of the prostate: lymph node aspiration for staging

Percutaneous fine-needle aspiration biopsy of suspect nodes was used for histologic staging in 33 patients with clinically localized carcinoma of the prostate after an abnormal or suspicious lymphogram. A total of 66 nodes was biopsied, and positive cytology for metastatic carcinoma was obtained from 29 nodes in 20 patients indicating the presence of stage D disease. Thus, staging lymphadenectomy and radical treatment by radiation or surgery were avoided.