PROGNOSTIC INDICATORS OF LYMPH NODE METASTASIS IN

Pelvic lymph node dissection is a critical component of radical cystectomy for patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Although lymph node involvement is often associated with a poor prognosis, some patients may experience long-term survival when treated with an appropriate lymphadenectomy with and without systemic chemotherapy.  Several lymph node variables have been identified that may provide insight to survivorship of patients with both node-positive and node-negative disease. These variables include lymph node yield, extent of LND, number of positive nodes, location of positive nodes, pathologic stage of the primary tumor, presence of extracapsular nodal extension, size of lymph node metastasis, and lymph node density. These factors may be utilized when counseling patients and directing adjuvant therapy.  Herein, we review the literature regarding several lymph node prognostic variables for patients undergoing radical cystectomy for urothelial bladder cancer