The Diagnostic Value of the Sentinel Node Procedure to Detect Occult Lymph Node Metastases in PSMA PET/CT Node–Negative Prostate Cancer Patients

Abstract

Our objective was to assess the diagnostic value of the sentinel node (SN) procedure for lymph node staging in primary intermediate- and high-risk prostate cancer patients with node-negative results on prostate-specific membrane antigen PET/CT (miN0). <b>Methods:</b> From 2016 to 2022, 154 patients with primary, miN0 PCa were retrospectively included. All patients had a Briganti nomogram–assessed nodal risk of more than 5% and underwent a robot-assisted SN procedure for nodal staging. The prevalence of nodal metastases at histopathology and the occurrence of surgical complications according to the Clavien–Dindo classification were evaluated. <b>Results:</b> The SN procedure yielded 84 (14%) tumor-positive lymph nodes with a median metastasis size of 3 mm (interquartile range, 1–4 mm). In total, 55 patients (36%) were reclassified as pN1. A complication of Clavien–Dindo grade 3 or higher occured in 1 patient (0.6%). <b>Conclusion:</b> The SN procedure classified 36% of patients with miN0 prostate cancer with an elevated risk of nodal metastases as pN1.