Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) positron emission tomography (PET) has a high negative predictive value (NPV) in determining lymph node invasion (LNI) in men with intermediate-risk disease undergoing radical prostatectomy (RP) and pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND). We hypothesized that PSMA PET may be used to reduce the number of unnecessary PLND procedures performed.
To assess BCR-free survival of intermediate risk prostate cancer patients with a negative PSMA PET who underwent PLND vs. no PLND.
Within a high-volume center database, we identified patients with Grade Group 2-3 and PSA ≤ 20 ng/ml who had a negative PSMA PET prior to RP between 2016 and 2021.
Kaplan-Meier analyses were used to compare BCR-free survival between patients with and without PLND.
Overall, 371 patients were identified. Of those, 333 (90%) underwent RP with PLND, while 38 (10%) had no PLND during RP. Median number of removed lymph nodes in patients with PLND was 16. The NPV of PSMA PET for LNI detection was 90.1%. Median follow-up was 36 months. The median preoperative PSA was 7.8 ng/ml. 59% had biopsy Grade Group 2 and 41% had biopsy Grade Group 3, respectively. BCR-free survival at 36 months after prostatectomy was 78.7% vs. 76.7% (p = 0.8) for patients with vs. without PLND. Main limitation is the absence of long-term oncologic outcomes.
In intermediate risk prostate cancer patients, a PLND may be avoided in the presence of a negative PSMA PET.
Prostate cancer and prostatic diseases. 2025 Jan 06 [Epub ahead of print]
Reha-Baris Incesu, Felix Preisser, Florian Nohe, Tobias Maurer, Markus Graefen, Derya Tilki
Martini-Klinik Prostate Cancer Center, University Hospital Hamburg Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany., Martini-Klinik Prostate Cancer Center, University Hospital Hamburg Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany. .