[Highly malignant B cell lymphoma as penile tumour]

On suspicion of carcinoma, a male with a tumour on the penis was partially amputated without prior biopsy. Histopathology showed lymphoma. Later another lymphoma was discovered and chemotherapy was commenced. Three years later the patient died of an unrelated cause without signs of recurrence. If the patient's disease had been correctly diagnosed prior to treatment, chemotherapy alone or possibly combined with less mutilating surgery would probably have proven sufficient. In treating patients with tumours, it is important to obtain a histological diagnosis prior to choosing treatment.