OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical and pathological features, methods and outcome of management in squamous cell carcinoma of the penis (SCCP). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was carried out of 42 patients (mean age 63 years, range 28-86) with a histological diagnosis of SCCP. The disease stage, grade, treatment of primary tumour, lymph node disease and survival were recorded; the mean follow-up was 4 years (range 1.5-25). RESULTS: The disease stage was T1 in 24 patients (57%), T2 in 14 (33%), T3 in three (7%) and T4 in one (2%); the tumour grade was well differentiated in 20 (47%), moderately differentiated in 14 (33%) and poorly differentiated in three (7%). Eight patients had histologically confirmed inguinal node disease at presentation, six of whom underwent lymph node dissection, while two underwent radiotherapy. Five patients developed inguinal node disease during follow-up (mean 10 months, range 4-21). Three of these patients were irradiated and two underwent lymph node dissection. Six patients (14%) had local recurrence, five of whom were managed surgically. One patient developed a local recurrence 11 years after initial surgery. Seven patients died from their disease (17%); four died within 2 years, being patients with high-stage and/or high-grade disease. CONCLUSIONS: Modern management should include a standard staging classification and treatment protocols to maximize survival.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical and pathological features, methods and outcome of management in squamous cell carcinoma of the penis (SCCP). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was carried out of 42 patients (mean age 63 years, range 28-86) with a histological diagnosis of SCCP. The disease stage, grade, treatment of primary tumour, lymph node disease and survival were recorded; the mean follow-up was 4 years (range 1.5-25). RESULTS: The disease stage was T1 in 24 patients (57%), T2 in 14 (33%), T3 in three (7%) and T4 in one (2%); the tumour grade was well differentiated in 20 (47%), moderately differentiated in 14 (33%) and poorly differentiated in three (7%). Eight patients had histologically confirmed inguinal node disease at presentation, six of whom underwent lymph node dissection, while two underwent radiotherapy. Five patients developed inguinal node disease during follow-up (mean 10 months, range 4-21). Three of these patients were irradiated and two underwent lymph node dissection. Six patients (14%) had local recurrence, five of whom were managed surgically. One patient developed a local recurrence 11 years after initial surgery. Seven patients died from their disease (17%); four died within 2 years, being patients with high-stage and/or high-grade disease. CONCLUSIONS: Modern management should include a standard staging classification and treatment protocols to maximize survival.