VIENNA, AUSTRIA (UroToday.com) - This group evaluated the periprostatic fat pad tissue areas from radical prostatectomy (RP) specimens for lymph nodes.
Between July and September of 2010, a total of 402 men underwent RP at their institution. Periprostatic fat was resected in all cases and histological examination of these specimens was performed in 356 patients (88.5%). The relationship between presence of lymph nodes within the periprostatic fat pads and the total number of lymph nodes examined and the relationship between the presence of lymph node metastasis within the fat pads, and metastasis in other lymph node regions was assessed.
Lymph nodes within the periprostatic fat pads were detected in 20 (5.6%) patients. Among these patients, tumor infiltration was found in 4 patients (1.2%). Three of these patients harbored lymph node metastases without any other lymph node metastasis during standard lymphadenectomy. No relationship was detected between the total number of lymph nodes removed and the detection of lymph nodes in the periprostatic fat pads.
They concluded that lymph nodes exist in periprostatic fad pads, which are not routinely included in the pathological work up. However, no relationship exists between the presence of lymph nodes within the periprostatic fat and the total number of lymph nodes yielded in other lymphatic fields nor does a relationship exist between the presence of positive lymph nodes in the periprostatic fat pads and presence positive nodes within other lymph nodes.
Presented by Jan Spethmann, et al. at the 26th Annual European Association of Urology (EAU) Congress - March 18 - 21, 2011 - Austria Centre Vienna, Vienna, Austria
View EAU 2011 Annual Meeting Coverage
