Impact of lymph node dissection at the time of radical nephrectomy with tumor thrombectomy on oncological outcomes: Results from the International Renal Cell Carcinoma-Venous Thrombus Consortium (IRCC-VTC)

The number of positive nodes harvested during LND and LN density was strong prognostic indicators of CSS, while number of removed LNs did not have a significant effect on CSS. The rate of pN1 patients among clinically node-negative patients was relatively high, and LND in these patients suggested a survival benefit. However, only a randomized trial can determine the absolute benefit of LND in this setting.