[Prophylactic nodal radiotherapy in prostate cancer]

Abstract

The risk of lymph node invasion, in case of prostate cancer, increases with the clinical stage of the disease, the Gleason score of prostate biopsies and the value of PSA at diagnosis. Historically, beyond 15% risk of lymph node involvement, irradiation of the pelvic areas was performed with prostate radiotherapy (RT) to take into account the risk of occult lymph node metastasis in patients at risk, but the benefit of this therapeutic approach remains to be demonstrated. The data from surgical lymph node dissection seem to question the risk levels, the escalation of the dose on the prostate increases the survival without relapse, the contribution of image-guided radiotherapy, (IGRT) and modulation of intensity (IMRT), decreases the toxicity of pelvic RT. This article reviews the principles of prophylactic ganglion irradiation for prostate cancer and discusses its relevance, current uncertainties, and prospective trials.

Keywords: Aires ganglionnaires pelviennes; Cancer de la prostate; IGRT; IMRT; Pelvic lymph nodes; Prostate cancer; RCMI; Radiotherapy; Radiothérapie.