[Erectile function and ablative surgery of penile tumors]

The Authors try to show the possibility to combine radical excision with minimal invasiveness in the surgery of penile cancer. The focal point of every therapeutic decision is correct clinical staging. Unfortunately there's some confusion in the two international staging systems (TNM and Jackson's classification). In fact it's not clear the anatomical difference between epithelioma of the glans infiltrating corpus spongiosum and subcoronary epithelioma of the shaft infiltrating the corpora cavernosa. It's obvious that the infiltration of the corpora cavernosa is a far more aggressive oncological manifestation than that of tumour infiltrating the corpus spongiosum. So we consider Jackson's classification more congenial. In terms of surgery this anatomical independence makes it easy to consider the corpora cavernosa as a distinct entity, so they remain perfectly functional when separated from the glandulo-spongio-urethral unit with its vasculo-nervous bundle. This makes conservation of the erectile function, when clinical staging show us that the tumour is not infiltrating the corpora cavernosa. The Authors show their results, which seem to be rather good.