The treatment of penile carcinoma: experience in 64 cases

Carcinoma of the penis is an uncommon entity in Poland (160 new cases per year).

To review our results in treatment of penile cancer in 64 patients.

From 1989 to 1998, 64 patients were treated for carcinoma of the penis. The age of the patients varied from 21 to 86. Clinical and pathological categories were assessed according to TNM classification. Inguinal lymphadenectomy was performed in 35 patients. Following surgery 12 patients underwent radiotherapy, 3 chemotherapy, 3 radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Twenty-two percent of patients died of cancer with median survival of 49 weeks. Bilateral inguinal involvement after node dissection was found in 17 patients. Unilateral inguinal involvement was found in 7 patients. Six patients had positive pelvic nodes. Of patients with initially non metastatic disease (N0) 8.3% showed progression to death, of patients with initially lymph node metastases (N+) 46% showed progression to death. The 5-year disease-free survival rates of patients with N+ and N0 were 40% and 82%, respectively. Of the patients 11% had local recurrence. Postoperative complications developed in 30 cases.

The likelihood of lymph node invasion at presentation was related to T category and grade of primary tumour. The most important prognostic factor for patients with carcinoma of the penis was lymph node involvement.