Lymphadenectomy in Bladder Cancer: A Review

BACKGROUND: Radical cystectomy is the standard treatment for muscle invasive bladder cancer, however the role and appropriate extent of an associated lymphadenectomy continues to change. METHODS: We performed a detailed review of the medical literature pertaining to the development and rationale for an extended lymphadenectomy in patients undergoing radical cystectomy. RESULTS: A perspective of lymphadenectomy and an anatomic account of bladder lymphatic drainage are presented. The technique of an extended lymphadenectomy is also highlighted. Autoptic contemporary clinical data are presented to suggest that a more extensive lymphadenectomy has both prognostic and therapeutic utility. Furthermore, the stage of the primary bladder tumor, total number of lymph nodes removed, and the lymph node tumor burden are shown to be important prognostic variables in patients undergoing cystectomy with pathologic evidence of lymph node metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: Radical cystectomy provides excellent local cancer control with the Lowe's pelvic recurrence rates and the best long-term survival. Radical cystectomy with an appropriate extended lymphadenectomy, while surgically more challenging, does not significantly increase the morbidity or mortality of the procedure. The limits of lymph node dissection are still subject to debate and there is growing evidence that an extended lymphadenectomy provides further diagnostic and therapeutic benefit.