Indications for pelvic lymphadenectomy in prostate cancer

Pelvic lymphadenectomy (PL) provides extremely valuable staging information in patients being treated for adenocarcinoma of the prostate; however, the cost and potential morbidity associated with this procedure suggests that it is not indicated in all patients. This article reviews the indications f or lymphadenectomy as well as factors that may influence how one chooses wh ich patients will benefit most from PL. This article provides the initial s teps for a decision analysis framework that will introduce health state uti lities into the decision to perform PL on an individual patient basis.