About 10% of localized prostate cancers show lymphovascular invasion (LVI), making those patients at risk for metastasis after radical prostatectomy according to research published in Urologic Oncology and presented "PROSCA", the Global Congress on Prostate Cancer. 

Under the microscope, it is possible to identify invasion of the tumor into the lymph and blood vessels, this being the tumor behavior responsible for the formation of metastases, so that it can be used as a prognostic factor. This has now been demonstrated by Harun Fajkovic of MedUni Vienna's Department of Urology in a study involving 7,000 patients.  Fajkovic will also report on the latest research findings at the largest international congress on prostate cancer "PROSCA", currently taking place in Vienna.

Lymphovascular invasion (LVI) means that malignant cancer cells "invade" the blood vessels and lymphatic system, and can then be transported onwards. "They can implant themselves, for example as micro-metastases in the lung or spine and then slowly replicate to form a new tumor at another site in the body," explains Fajkovic.

Detection of LVI, in combination with other characteristics in the pathological analysis of the resected tumor, therefore acts as a sort of alert, even if the patient's post-operative PSA value, the current marker for prostate cancer, is below the critical limit. Dr. Fajkovic suggested that "Patients could then conceivably be offered additional supportive treatment straightaway, for example, radiotherapy or chemotherapy – rather than waiting to see." LVI has also been identified as an independent prognostic factor in other types of cancer, such as breast cancer or bladder cancer.

Prostate cancer is the third commonest male cancer worldwide.