Squamous cell carcinoma of the penis and microscopic pathologic margins: how much margin is needed for local cure?

BACKGROUND: Total or partial penile amputation is an effective treatment for invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the penis. The authors evaluated the relation between paraffin section microscopic pathologic margins and local recurrence.
METHODS: Seventeen cases of biopsy proven squamous cell carcinoma of the penis treated with partial or total penectomy were reviewed retrospectively. All resections were performed by one surgeon (K.R.L.). Permanent microscopic pathologic margins and pathologic classification were determined by one pathologist (A.A.R.) using the American Joint Committee on Cancer TNM classification of 1997.
RESULTS: Seven of the 10 patients who underwent a partial penectomy were followed for a mean duration of 33.1 months (range, 3-75 months). The average microscopic pathologic margin was 14.4 mm (range, 0-40 mm) for lesions classified as T1 or greater. Three patients had a microscopic margin < or = 10 mm. There were no local or regional recurrences in this group of patients. The 7 patients who underwent a total penectomy were followed for a mean duration of 25.2 months (range, 5-76 months). There were no local recurrences and only one inguinal recurrence. The average microscopic pathologic margin was 14.8 mm (range, 0-50 mm) for all stages. There were 4 patients who had microscopic pathologic margins < or = 10 mm, and all were free of local disease at the last follow-up.
CONCLUSIONS: None of the 14 patients followed developed local recurrence. Also, no recurrence occurred in 7 patients who had microscopic margins of < or =10 mm. This suggests that local control can be obtained with margins measuring less than the standard 15-25 mm.