THE INCIDENCE OF UNSUSPECTED METASTASES FROM CLINICALLY BENIGN PROSTATE-GLANDS WITH LATENT PROSTATE CARCINOMA

Objective.-To determine how many latent prostate gland carcinomas (uns uspected carcinomas in clinically benign prostate glands) metastasize. Design.-The prostate glands and the pelvic and paraaortic lymph nodes were removed at autopsy from 209 consecutive patients with clinically benign prostate glands. The prostate glands were completely sectioned and examined microscopically using full cross sections. Pelvic and pa ra-aortic lymph nodes were identified and examined microscopically for metastases. Results.-Seventy-nine (38%) of the prostate glands had la tent prostate carcinomas. None of the pelvic or paraaortic lymph nodes contained metastases. Conclusion.-This study suggests that few latent prostate-gland carcinomas metastasize.