Fine needle aspiration cytology of penile tumors

Penile tumors are unusual and can represent neoplastic or inflammatory processes. We report a series of penile tumors diagnosed by fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology.

Files from the Division of Clinical Cytology, Karolinska Hospital, were searched, and cases of FNA cytology of the penis selected. Clinical information and cytologic diagnoses were recorded and observations from aspiration smears made.

Eleven patients had presented to Karolinska Hospital for FNA cytology of the penis. They ranged from 46 to 89 years of age; all were uncircumcised. Tumors were present in various locations, including the glans and shaft. Five patients had squamous cell carcinoma (SCCA) of the penis; three were primary, one locally recurrent and one metastatic from primary lung SCCA. There were three carcinomas metastatic from primary colon, prostate and bladder tumors. There was one each of locally recurrent malignant melanoma, locally metastatic testicular mesothelioma and Peyronie's disease. Discomfort associated with the procedure was tolerable, there were no complications, and each biopsy provided sufficient material for a cytologic diagnosis.

FNA cytology of penile tumors is a successful, well-tolerated procedure capable of providing a cytologic diagnosis and useful information for patient management.