Is there any role for regional lymph node dissection with radical nephrectomy for patients with early stage RCC?
Wouldn't lymph node dissection improve sensitivity of staging and inform adjuvant treatment decisions?
Answer from: Radiation Oncologist at Academic Institution
Patients with early stage RCC without unfavorable clinical pathologic features and clinically positive nodes have a low incidence of nodal metastasis. LND is unnecessary in these patients. Furthermore, renal lymphatic drainage is unpredictable.