Penile cancer in India: a clinicoepidemiological study

Penile cancer is one of the most common genitourinary cancers encountered in developing countries like India. The incidence of carcinoma of the penis varies according to circumcision practice, hygienic standard, phimosis, the number of sexual partners, HPV infection, exposure to tobacco products, and other factors. The aim of the study was to study the clinic-epidemiological profile of penile cancer.

54 patients were enrolled and studied from May 2005 to June 2006. Clinicoepidemiologic profile and patients' characteristics were assessed in a questionnaire including demographic data, presence of risk factors like smoking, phimosis, circumcision, history of promiscuity, history of sexually transmitted disease etc., clinical features, pathological features of tumor like size, site, appearance, histological type, grade, presence of lymph nodes, treatment performed and response. 5 year survival rates were also calculated.

Of the 54 patients, about three-fourths patients were older than 50. About one quarter patients presented with phimosis and 20% patients had undergone circumcision after attaining adulthood. 70% patients were found to be smokers. Most patients presented with T2 disease whereas lymphadenopathy, both benign and malignant, was present in 55.5% and 76% patients in T1 and T2 patients respectively. 5 year survival rates were found to be 87% and 60% respectively in stage I and II respectively.

penile cancer is one of the most common genitourinary cancer affecting mostly aged, uncircumcised males with history of smoking.Most patients present at advanced age and hence a national awareness campaign against this disease should be promoted.