ICG fluorescence imaging for the evaluation of lymph nodes in bladder cancer

Radical cystectomy is the gold standard treatment for aggressive bladder cancer. Pelvic lymphadenectomy is an important step. This procedure is crucial for the cancer staging, determination of further treatment strategy, and optimization of surgical outcomes. Currently, the sentinel lymph node concept is being actively developed, which allows to reduce the required extent of pelvic lymph node dissection. Decrease in number of removed pelvic lymph node improves surgical safety of the patient. Indocyanine green near-infrared fluorescence is the main approach to the intraoperative visualization of sentinel lymph nodes. The prospects of this diagnostic technique application in radical cystectomy performed for bladder cancer determine the vector of future scientific research in this area.