Role of conservative surgery for invasive penile carcinoma

OBJECTIVES: Most penile tumors are suitable for standard partial or total penile amputation. We attempted to identify whether occasional patients with anatomically suitable penile carcinoma can be safely managed with unconventional techniques that preserve uninvolved penile structures. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Records of personal patients with anatomically suitable invasive penile carcinoma managed by unconventional surgical resections between 1979 and 1995 were reviewed. RESULTS: Fifteen patients who had conservative surgical resections were followed for 6-80 months. Eleven patients had no recurrence and were alive with no evidence of disease at 6-80 months (mean 45 months). Two patients developed 3 local recurrences that were excised by further conservative resections and were alive with no evidence of disease at last follow up. One patient died of metastatic disease and 1 died of myocardial infarction. CONCLUSIONS: Variable preservation of function can be obtained while accomplishing acceptable survival and local control. We believe that these conservative surgical modalities for managing primary penile carcinoma warrant consideration in appropriately selected patients.