[First results of PET / CT-guided secondary lymph node surgery on patients with a PSA relapse after radical prostatectomy].
OBJECTIVE
CT and MRT are not applicable for the early detection of lymph node (LN) recurrence in prostate cancer. The PET / CT ((11)C-, (18)F-choline) technique can detect lesions >or= 5 mm and allows their topographic localisation. We have analysed positive (11)C-choline PET / CT LN findings in the case of a PSA increase after radical prostatectomy (RPE) histologicaly and documented the developing of PSA.


METHODS
8 patients with PSA relapse after RPE and lymphadenedtomy (LA) were diagnosed as having LNM by means of (11)C-choline PET / CT. Using PET / CT, metastasis suspicious and nearby LN were openly dissected. Histological and PET / CT results were compared and the postoperative PSA-development was examined.


RESULTS
Of the metastasis suspicious LN (11) 9 were histologically reconfirmed. All additionally removed LN (12) were correct negative. LNM were mostly (7 of 9) located in the iliaca interna area and pararectal. 6 of 7 patients with histological metastasis detection showed a PSA response. 3 of 6 patients with single metastasis had complete PSA remission (< 0.01 ng / ml, maximum follow-up: 28 months) without adjuvant therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
(11)C-choline PET / CT could detect LNM with high specificity in our collective. These often lie beyond standard LA area, where they were primarily only resected by use of extended or sentinel LA. Because 3 patients with single LNM reached a complete PSA remission (< 0.01 ng / ml) without adjuvant therapy, the selected collective seems to benefit from secondary LN surgery. Whether or not individual patients can be cured by this surgery has to be demonstrated in a longitudinal study. However, an optimal imaging and experience in LN surgery have to be assured.
Winter
Alexander
A
Klinik Für Urologie und Kinderurologie, Klinikum Oldenburg, Oldenburg. winter.alexander@klinikumoldenburg.de
Uphoff
J
J
Henke
R-P
RP
Wawroschek
F
F
D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008197:Lymph Node Excision / Q000379:methods*; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000097:blood / Q000601:surgery*; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen / Q000097:blood*; D011468:Prostatectomy; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen