Bladder Cancer: Pelvic Lymphadenectomy Revisited

Abstract

The value of pelvic lymphadenectomy in patients undergoing cystectomy for bladder cancer is controversial. While perhaps 1-2 percent of all patients may be cured after excision of positive nodes, the overall contribution of this procedure to survival is minimal. Pelvic lymphadenectomy is however becoming more valuable for staging and therapy in combination with more effective systemic chemotherapy and its role in the overall management of patients with invasive bladder cancer is presently being redefined.