[Treatment of penile cancer]

In Denmark about 40 new cases of cancer of the penis are diagnosed each year. Several studies have retrospectively investigated the treatment results in this rare disease. However, most of these studies include few patients and are difficult to compare because several classification systems have been used. Treatment of the primary tumour consists of local excision, laser surgery, partial/total penectomy or irradiation. The prognosis for early stage disease is apparently independent of the mode of treatment and the specific five-year survival rate is 80-90%. Several centres advise prophylactic treatment of the groin in node negative patients, claiming that the survival thereby is increased. However, the morbidity is considerable and randomized studies are not available. The treatment for metastatic inguinal nodes consists of adenectomy or irradiation. The specific five-year survival rate is 40-50%. Chemotherapy has been used for advanced disease. The response rates are low and the responses are of short duration.