Can a negative PSMA PET/CT limit the indication for lymphadenectomy in patients with localized moderate- and high-risk prostate cancer?

Česká verze

Authors: MUDr. Kristýna Dianová ¹; doc. MUDr. Vladimír Šámal, Ph.D. ^1,2; MUDr. Vít Paldus ¹
Authors place of work: Urologie, Krajská nemocnice Liberec, a. s. ¹; Urologická klinika LF UK a FN Hradec Králové ²
Published in the journal: Klin Onkol 2026; 39(5): 320-324
Category: Přehled
doi: https://doi.org/10.48095/ccko2026320

Summary

The aim is to summarize recent findings on the diagnostic value of Ga-68 PSMA PET/CT imaging in patients with intermediate -⁠ and high-risk prostate cancer scheduled for radical prostatectomy and its impact on decision-making regarding simultaneous performance of pelvic lymphadenectomy. The focus is on sensitivity, specificity, and negative predictive value of this imaging modality in detecting lymph node metastases; the limitations of the examination are discussed, and situations in which the results may influence therapeutic management are outlined. Based on currently available data, a negative PSMA PET/CT result significantly reduces the probability of lymph node involvement. However, despite a negative PSMA PET/CT scan, risk of lymph node involvement remains approximately 10% in intermediate-risk tumors and 20–40% in high-risk tumors. Nomograms for estimating the risk of lymph node involvement are already available and incorporate PSMA PET/CT findings into their calculations. Therefore, the decision to perform lymphadenectomy should be individualized according to the patient’s risk profile.

Keywords:

prostate cancer – Radical prostatectomy – pelvic lymphadenectomy – lymph node metastasis – Ga-68 PSMA PET/CT

Zdroje

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