NODAL INVOLVEMENT IN BLADDER CANCER CASES TREATED WITH RADICAL CYSTECTOMY: INCIDENCE AND PROGNOSIS

Abstract

Tumor pT stage and grade, and lymphovascular invasion independently influence the incidence of lymph node involvement. There was a weak correlation between the number of retrieved nodes and number of positive nodes. The survival probability in pT N+ cases depended on pT stage and the number of involved nodes. A prospective study with anatomical mapping of retrieved nodes is necessary to define the optimal extent of lymphadenectomy with cystectomy.