Posted 2/18/2009 12:59 AM (GMT -5)
There are lymphatic vessels within the gland that funnel lymph fluid to the nodes. It is sort of not surprising that when a patient has a tumour within the gland then it may show up in minute lymph vessels.........same with the small blood vessels and capillaries within the gland.
Concerning perineural invasion this is from Dr. Catalona's site
There are small nerve fibers that pass through the inside of the prostate gland. These nerves secrete a growth factor that attracts prostate cancer cells. Accordingly, in the great majority of prostate cancers, the cancer cells are seen to be lined up surrounding nerve fibers. This is called "perineural invasion." Perineural invasion is so common as to almost be a diagnostic feature of prostate cancer. Its clinical significance is that when it is found in a needle biopsy specimen, there is a greater chance that the tumor will be found to have spread outside the prostate gland. If the tumor has spread outside the prostate, there is a higher chance for tumor recurrence. However, if the tumor has not spread outside the prostate gland, there is little or no prognostic significance to perineural invasion.
You have no evidence of extracapsular extension. no seminal vesicle involvement and no sign of spread, so it's a pretty good outcome. All you can do now is recover and heal and wait on the PSAs (and don't I know how nerve-wracking that is)
Bill