Extended versus superextended lymph-node dissection in radical cystectomy: subgroup analysis of possible recurrence-free survival benefit

Objective The aim of this study was to assess potential benefits of different extended lymph-node dissection templates at the time of radical cystectomy as treatment for invasive bladder cancer. Materials and methods Between 2004 and 2012, 578 patients underwent radical cystectomy with lymph-node dissection without prior radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Two different historical cohorts were constructed: 262 patients underwent intended superextended lymph-node dissection (seLND) from January 2004 to January 2009 and 316 patients underwent intended extended lymph-node dissection (eLND) from February 2009 to December 2012. Recurrence-free survival (RFS) was analysed as the primary outcome. Median follow-up was 93 (63-123) months and 38 (16-63) months in the two groups, respectively. Results There was no significant difference in RFS in the two cohorts (p = 0.87). When analysed according to lymph-node status (N0 or N+), there was no significant difference in RFS between the two cohorts in the two subgroups (p = 0.41 and p = 0.48, respectively). When analysed according to tumour stage, patients with non-organ-confined disease revealed a tendency towards better RFS in the seLND cohort (p = 0.14). This tendency was most clearly seen in the subgroup of T3-4 patients without lymph-node metastases (N0) (p = 0.14). Conclusions Extending LND up to the inferior mesenteric artery (seLND) does not seem to be beneficial to the overall population of patients with invasive bladder cancer compared to performing an eLND to the aortic bifurcation only. However, a subgroup of patients with non-organ-confined disease without macrometastases may benefit from seLND.