Penile carcinoma: a twenty-five-year experience

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Surgical Oncology
• Urology

Background:

• Carcinoma of the penis is a rare malignancy.
• Treatment strategies for penile cancer have evolved over time.
• Long-term outcomes for different treatment approaches require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review treatment outcomes for penile cancer patients over a 25-year period.
• To evaluate the impact of ilioinguinal lymphadenectomy on survival in Stage I penile cancer.
• To present a management plan for primary penile lesions and lymph node assessment.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 34 patients with penile carcinoma treated between 1958 and 1983.
• Analysis of treatment modalities including partial/total penectomy and immediate ilioinguinal lymphadenectomy versus observation.
• Survival analysis using Mantel-Cox and Breslow tests.

Main Results:

• Stage I penile cancer patients treated with surgery and observation had survival rates not significantly different from those undergoing immediate lymphadenectomy.
• All Stage II penile cancer patients (7) died, with a mean survival of 10.6 months, significantly lower than Stage I.
• Stage II survival was significantly poorer compared to literature reports.

Conclusions:

• For Stage I penile cancer with clinically nonpalpable nodes, partial/total penectomy with observation may yield similar survival to immediate ilioinguinal lymphadenectomy.
• Stage II penile cancer has a poor prognosis, necessitating aggressive management strategies.
• A clear management plan for primary penile lesions and lymph node status is crucial.