Penile cancer - Incidence, mortality, and survival in Saxony, Germany

Penile cancer is a rare disease in Europe and North America. Cancer registry data were used to estimate the incidence, mortality, and survival of penile cancer in Saxony, Germany.

Data on incidence were analyzed for the period 1961 to 2012 and mortality for the period 1990 to 2012. Trend analyses of incidence and mortality were performed using joinpoint regression. Survival rates for primary penile cancer (ICD-10 C60) were estimated; overall, by T stage, UICC stage, and by year of diagnosis for the years 1963 to 2012.

Age-standardized incidence increased from 1.2 per 100,000 in 1961 to 1.8 per 100,000 in 2012, with a statistically significant increase between 2003 and 2012 (annual percent change: 4.66; 95% confidence interval, CI 0.62-8.86). There was a statistically significant negative trend in mortality between 1990 and 2012 (annual percent change: -3.46, 95% CI -5.21 to -1.67). A total of 430 new cases of penile cancer were registered between 2003 and 2012, with 63% of all penile cancers occurring in men aged 60 to 79 years. Almost half of those cases were located at the glans penis. The overall relative 5-year survival for the years of diagnosis 2003 to 2012 was 72.4% (95% CI 64.8%-80.0%). Relative 5-year survival decreased with higher UICC stages (I: 96%, 95% CI 84.7%-107.3%; II: 86.3%, 95% CI 71.0%-101.5%; III: 39.6%, 95% CI 19.9%-59.3%; IV: 20.3%, 95% CI 2.4%-38.2%).

The incidence of penile cancer in Saxony has increased in recent years, while mortality has decreased. However, survival rates have remained constant over time.