Diagnosis and treatment of penile cancer

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Penile cancer is a rare malignancy in Norway with about 40 new cases each year. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An overview on diagnosis and treatment of penile cancer is given and the guidelines from the European Association of Urology are presented. RESULTS: Phimosis and poor genital hygiene are pre-disposing conditions for penile cancer. Condylomata acuminatum and leukoplakia should be regarded as premalignant lesions. The superficial form of penile cancer should be treated by laser, surgery or radiotherapy. When the cancer infiltrates into corpus cavernosum or corpus spongiosum, or the tumour displays a poorly differentiated histology, a partial or total amputation of the penis has to be performed. Inguinal lymphadenectomy is recommended in patients presenting with a tumour > or = pT2 or if the histology reveals a moderately or poorly differentiated cancer. Five-year survival rate is about 80% for patients with localised tumour, and about 50% in patients with regional lymph node metastasis. INTERPRETATION: We recommend that the treatment of penile cancer is performed in the regional hospitals.