Radiation after pelvic lymphadenectomy: Effect on morbidity

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Abstract
The role of a staging pelvic lymph node dissection has been questioned because of its associated morbidity, especially when followed by definitive radiation therapy. Forty‐nine patients with clinically localized adenocarcinoma of the prostate underwent a staging pelvic lymphadenectomy. Clinically suspected lymph nodes were submitted for frozen section analysis. A unilateral dissection was performed on 7 patients (14%), none of whom developed intraoperative or postoperative complications. The remaining 42 patients underwent bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy, after which 26 were treated with definitive radiation therapy using the four‐field box technique, and 16 received other forms of therapy (delayed androgen deprivation or hormonal manipulation). The complication rate of 19% was identical for both groups of patients. Complications consisted of 3 seromas, 1 atelectasis, 1 prolonged ileus, 1 wound infection, and 2 transient penile or scrotal edemas. Radiation therapy, therefore, did not increase postoperative morbidity.