Combined THP-ADM and radiation therapy in penile cancer

Abstract

Five patients with penile cancer were treated with radical radiotherapy combined with concurrent THP-ADM. No patient demonstrated distant metastasis, but three patients had regional nodes metastasis at first presentation. Delivered dose was 60 Gy over 8-weeks and 10 mg/m2 of THP-ADM was administrated once a week during irradiation. Three of the five cases (60%) achieved complete response. Regarding the primary tumor complete response was noted in three cases (60%) and partial response in two (40%). Regarding the lymph nodes complete response was observed in two cases (67%) and no change in one. Histological effect upon the primary tumor was Grade IV in three cases and Grade HB in two according to Obosi-Shimosato's criteria. That of the metastatic lymph nodes was Grade IV in one case. Three patients (60%) were alive with no evidence of disease with a median follow up of 27 months. Leukocytopenia and erosion of the penile skin were observed in all cases and meatal stenosis in one. All of these toxicities were acceptable. These results suggested that this combined therapy is effective for penile cancer and useful for the penispreserving treatment.