Pelvic lymphadenectomy in stage A prostatic cancer.

Pelvic lymphadenectomy as a staging procedure in clinically apparent prostatic adenocarcinoma has long been recognized and its value appreciated. Twenty-three recent cases from the University of Colorado of clinically unapparent carcinoma of the prostate were studied with this modality, 5 Stage A1 and 18 Stage A2 tumors. Four of the 18 Stage A2 tumors but none of the A1 lesions after negative staging procedures revealed metastatic disease to the pelvic lymph nodes. Our experience indicated this modality should be employed in selected cases of incidental adenocarcinoma of the prostate.