[Therapy and prognosis of penile cancer]

A report is given on the therapy and prognosis of 38 patients with carcinoma of the penis. Prognosis depends on the extent and histological structure of the tumours. For small tumours (T1N0M0) methods of operation which conserve the organ (circumcision, extirpation of the tumour) combined with cryosurgical procedures have proved to be sufficient. However, most cases (T2 and T3 tumours) require amputation 1.5 to 2 cm into the healthy tissue. If lymph nodes are palpable, regional lymphadenectomy must be performed. Points of view vary on postoperative irradiation; we have only used it in cases of metastasis involving the inguinal lymph nodes. The 5-year survival rate of all patients is 68%, whereby no patient with a T1 tumour has died - on the other hand all those with T4 tumours died!