Radioisotopic detection of sentinel lymph nodes in clinically localized high-risk prostate cancer.

PURPOSE: To explore the efficacy of a radioisotopic (RI) method in detecting sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs), known as sites of harboring metastases, in localized high-risk prostate cancer (HRPC). METHODS: The RI method was applied to 26 males with clinically localized HRPC, subjected to radical prostatectomy in 2006-2008. All had poor pathological characteristics: initial PSA > 15 ng/ml, Gleason score > 7, clinically suspected extracapsular extension, seminal vesicle invasion, and/or positive pelvic lymph nodes (LNs). The radiopharmaceutical (Tc-99m) was injected preoperatively at 4 zones of the periphery of the prostate. Tc-99m-nanocolloid particles were