[Laser treatment of penile cancer]

The treatment of localized penile cancer has hitherto been surgical amputation of the penis. In our 12 cases, tumorectomy was performed by CO2 or ND:YAG-laser radiation with minimal tissue ablation. Local recurrences occurred and the patients must be followed regularly in the outpatient clinic. The recurrences were treated by repeated laser radiation. No patients died of penile cancer during a mean observation of 16 months (range 3-50). Laser tumorectomy has definitive therapeutic advantages compared with penile amputation, because the result is acceptable for the patient and his micturition and sexual life are not altered.