[Sentinel lymph node concept in prostate cancer].

A sentinel node (SN) validation study using a radioactive tracer and back-up extended pelvic lymph node (LN) dissection was performed in 40 patients with non-metastatic prostate cancer (PCa). The results of the study were favorable with sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of SN biopsies revealed 90%, 100% and 97.5%, respectively. Based on our promising results to date, we examined the utility of SN navigation surgery (SNNS) in patients with LN metastasis probability of 10% or less on Partin tables. Endoscopic mini-laparotomy surgery was applied to our SN biopsies in 9 patients with clinically localized PCa. SNs were successfully resected in 7 of these patients. Endoscopic minilaparotomy SNNS is a less invasive form of radical surgery for prostate cancer with accurate diagnosis of LN status.