Update on histopathological evaluation of lymphadenectomy specimens from prostate cancer patients

Background: Metastases to lymph nodes (LNs) represent an unfavorable prognostic factor in patients with prostate cancer (PCa). Histological examination represents the gold standard in the evaluation of the lymphadenectomy (LND) specimens for the presence of secondary deposits. Methods and results: The metastatic detection rate can vary according to the approach adopted in the microscopic analysis of the LNs, which includes frozen-section examination, total inclusion of the tissue with and without whole-mount sections, serial sectioning, and the application of immunohistochemistry. The assessment of the sentinel LN, the search for micrometastases, and the evaluation of atypical LN metastatic sites further contribute to the detection of the metastatic spread. Conclusion: In this review, an update on the histopathological evaluation of LND specimens in patients with PCa is given, and focus is made on their clinical and prognostic significance.