Anatomical mapping of lymph nodes in patients receiving salvage lymphadenectomy based on a positive 11C-choline positron emission tomography/computed tomography scan

18F-choline positron emission tomography/computed tomography guided laparoscopic salvage lymph node dissection in patients after radical prostatectomy

Introduction

Salvage lymph node dissection (sLND) using novel imaging methods is an interesting alternative to treat lymph node (LN) metastasis after radical prostatectomy (RP); however, recommendations for using sLND as such are still being developed.

Aim

To assess the clinical outcomes of prostate cancer (PCa) after fluorine-18-choline (18F-choline) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) guided sLND.

Material and methods

Ten patients who had undergone sLND under 18F-choline PET/CT guidance (positive nodes: median 1, range 1-3) and had biochemical recurrence or persistence of prostate-specific antigen (PSA: median PSA 2.05 ng/ml, range: 0.8–8.4) after RP were enrolled in this retrospective study. Complete biochemical response (cBCR) after salvage surgery was defined as PSA < 0.2 ng/ml.

Results

The median follow-up time after salvage surgery was 33 months. The median PSA level 6 weeks after sLND and at the end of follow-up was 0.93 and 2.95 ng/ml, respectively. At 6 weeks after targeted sLND only 1 patient had cBCR, whereas a PSA decrease was noted in 7 patients. No patient had cBCR at the end of follow-up.

Conclusions

Laparoscopic sLND in cases of LN metastatic PCa after RP is a feasible option with low morbidity. However, an initial cBCR occurs in a negligible proportion of patients, and a long-term response is unlikely to be achieved.

Salvage Pelvic Lymph Node Dissection and Current State of Imaging for Recurrent Prostate Cancer: Does a Standard Exist?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

We aim to evaluate the efficacy of salvage lymph node dissection (SLND) for nodal recurrent prostate cancer after primary treatment. We also provide a review of the diagnostic performance of next-generation sequencing (next-generation imaging (NGI)) radiotracers in the salvage setting.

RECENT FINDINGS

Most studies evaluating SLND include a heterogeneous population with a small sample size and are retrospective in design. The 5-year clinical recurrence-free and cancer-specific survival following SLND are 26-52% and 57-89%, respectively, among prospective studies. NGI improves accuracy in detecting nodal recurrence compared to conventional CT, with PMSA PET-CT showing the most promise. However, limited studies exist comparing imaging modalities and performance is variable at low PSA values. SLND is a promising treatment option, but more prospective data are needed to determine the ideal surgical candidate and long-term oncologic outcomes. More studies comparing different NGI are needed to determine the best imaging modality in patients who may be candidates for salvage treatment.