Significance of examined lymph-node count in accurate staging and long-term survival in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy: a population-based study

Purpose The number of examined lymph node (ELN) is regarded as the critical quality index for cancer care. We scrutinize the relationship among ELN number, accurate staging, and long-term survival in prostate cancer (Pca). Methods Population-based data on Pca patients in 2004–2015 from the US SEER database were investigated. The connection among ELN number and stage migration, overall survival (OS), and prostate cancer-specific survival (CSS) were evaluated by performing multivariable-adjusted logistic, Cox proportional hazards, and fine-gray competing-risk regression models, respectively. LOWESS smoother was used to fit the series of ELN number, odds ratios (OR), and hazard ratios (HR), while the Chow test was used to resolve the structural breakpoints. Subgroup and interaction analyses were performed in different risk populations. Results Overall, 84,838 patients were analyzed. Serial improvements were seen in stage migration (OR, 1.072, P