title: Balancing risk and benefit of extended pelvic lymph node dissection in patients undergoing radical cystectomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The optimal extent of pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) during radical cystectomy (RC) in patients with urothelial carcinoma of the bladder (UCB) is the subject of ongoing debate. In this study, we compared local recurrence-free and overall survival, in addition to complication rates, after extended PLND (ePLND) compared to standard PLND (sPLND).
  
  
  METHODS
  We reviewed the charts of 314 patients who underwent RC for UCB between 2008 and 2013. ePLND was performed in 105 patients, and 105 matched patients who underwent standard PLND (sPLND) were selected based on clinical parameters. Local recurrence-free and overall survival rates were assessed using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, and Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess potential determinants of these outcomes. Complications were assessed at 30 and 90 days using the Clavien-Dindo reporting system.
  
  
  RESULTS
  More lymph nodes were removed by ePLND (median 21) compared to sPLND (median 9; P < 0.001), but the rate of nodal involvement was not different. In multivariable analysis, ePLND was associated with a better local recurrence-free survival (HR = 0.63, P = 0.005), but was not an independent predictor of overall survival (HR = 1.06, P = 0.84). Estimated blood loss was greater with ePLND (1047.3 vs. 584.5 ml P < 0.001), but there was no significant difference in complications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Extended PLND appears to reduce the risk of local recurrence, but was not an independent predictor of overall survival in this cohort. ePLND was associated with greater blood loss compared to sPLND, but not with other perioperative complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urologic Sciences, Vancouver Prostate Centre, University of British Columbia, Level 6, 2775 Laurel St, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1M9, Canada.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Abdi
authors.affiliation: Department of Urologic Sciences, Vancouver Prostate Centre, University of British Columbia, Level 6, 2775 Laurel St, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1M9, Canada.|School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pourmalek
authors.affiliation: Department of Urologic Sciences, Vancouver Prostate Centre, University of British Columbia, Level 6, 2775 Laurel St, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1M9, Canada.
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Gleave
authors.affiliation: Department of Urologic Sciences, Vancouver Prostate Centre, University of British Columbia, Level 6, 2775 Laurel St, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1M9, Canada.
authors.forename: A I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: So
authors.affiliation: Department of Urologic Sciences, Vancouver Prostate Centre, University of British Columbia, Level 6, 2775 Laurel St, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1M9, Canada. pblack@mail.ubc.ca.
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Black
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical; D002295:Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015653:Cystectomy / Q000379:methods*; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008197:Lymph Node Excision / Q000379:methods*; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010388:Pelvis; D011379:Prognosis; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D015996:Survival Rate; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*
keywords: Bladder neoplasm; Pelvic lymph node dissection; Prognosis; Radical cystectomy; Recurrence; Survival; Urothelial carcinoma