External-beam irradiation of carcinoma of the penis

Twenty-four patients with biopsy-proved squamous-cell carcinoma of the penis underwent external-beam radiation therapy between 1966 and 1980. Fifteen were treated for the primary tumor and 9 for metastatic inguinal lymphadenopathy; no patient received prophylactic nodal irradiation. Doses ranged from 4,500 rad (45 Gy)/15 fractions/3 wk. to 6,400 rad (64 Gy)/32 fractions/6 1/2 wk. Seven out of 9 tumors in stage I, 2/3 in stage II, and 1/3 in stage IV were controlled for three years. Control of fixed, inoperable groin nodes was poor, and none of these patients survived beyond 1 1/2 years.