Re-evaluating the biological significance of seminal vesicle invasion (SVI) in locally advanced prostate cancer.

Abstract

• To examine the impact of seminal vesicle invasion (SVI) in patients with locally advanced (pT3) prostate cancer on clinical outcome. • To explore the clinical association of SVI with metastatic disease. • To distinguish between the possibilities that either seminal vesicles possess their own biological significance and represent a privileged staging site for systemic tumour cell dissemination, or that their invasion is a surrogate marker for an aggressive large-volume poorly differentiated cancer. • Patients with extraprostatic extension (EPE) and/or SVI were identified from a prospectively recorded and maintained prostate cancer database. • Patients were categorised according to the prese..