title: Anatomical templates of lymph node dissection for upper tract urothelial carcinoma: a systematic review of the literature.
abstract: Indications and techniques of lymph node dissection (LND) for upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) are still controversial. Areas covered: In this study, a systematic review of the English-language literature was performed up to 1 July 2016 using the Medline, Scopus, Cochrane Library and Web of Sciences databases to provide a detailed overview of the most commonly dissected surgical templates of LND for UTUC according to laterality and location of the tumor. Overall, sixteen studies were analyzed. Based on the shared experiences in the scientific literature, the LND template typically included: for right-sided tumors of the renal pelvis, upper third and middle third of the ureter, the renal hilar, paracaval, precaval and retrocaval nodes, while for left-sided tumors the renal hilar, paraaortic and preaortic nodes. For tumors of the lower ureter, an extended pelvic LND was performed in most cases; however, the paracaval, paraaortic or presacral nodes were dissected in selected series. Expert commentary: LND is not routinely performed at the time of surgery for UTUC and both indication and extent of LND vary among surgeons and institutions. Future high-quality studies are needed to define the most accurate LND templates and to assess their oncological efficacy and surgical morbidity.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Urology , Careggi Hospital, University of Florence , Florence , Italy.
authors.forename: Riccardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Campi
authors.affiliation: a Department of Urology , Careggi Hospital, University of Florence , Florence , Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Minervini
authors.affiliation: a Department of Urology , Careggi Hospital, University of Florence , Florence , Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mari
authors.affiliation: b Department of Urology , Klinik und Poliklinik für Urologie, Technische Universität München (TUM), Klinikum rechts der Isar , Munich , Germany.
authors.forename: Georgios
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hatzichristodoulou
authors.affiliation: a Department of Urology , Careggi Hospital, University of Florence , Florence , Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sessa
authors.affiliation: a Department of Urology , Careggi Hospital, University of Florence , Florence , Italy.
authors.forename: Albero
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lapini
authors.affiliation: c Department of Experimental Medicine , Section of Pharmacology 'L. Donatelli', II University of Naples , Naples , Italy.
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sessa
authors.affiliation: b Department of Urology , Klinik und Poliklinik für Urologie, Technische Universität München (TUM), Klinikum rechts der Isar , Munich , Germany.
authors.forename: Jurgen Erich
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Gschwend
authors.affiliation: a Department of Urology , Careggi Hospital, University of Florence , Florence , Italy.
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Serni
authors.affiliation: d Department of Urology , AO Papa Giovanni XXIII , Bergamo , Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Roscigno
authors.affiliation: a Department of Urology , Careggi Hospital, University of Florence , Florence , Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Carini
mesh_terms: D002295:Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D007682:Kidney Pelvis / Q000473:pathology; D008197:Lymph Node Excision / Q000379:methods*; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D014516:Ureteral Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D014571:Urologic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery
keywords: Anatomic landmarks; UTUC; lymph node dissection; lymphadenectomy; template; transitional cell carcinoma; upper tract urothelial carcinoma