Penile cancer is a rare disease. Most of penile cancer are squamous cell carcinoma. Diagnosis is based on self-examination, clinical examination and confirmatory biopsy. Several imaging technique could be used for staging purpose. However, the best modality for staging in intermediate and high risk patients is by surgical evaluation and the use of inguinal lymph node dissection, that has also a therapeutic effect. Unfortunately, inguinal lymph node dissection is underused. Penile cancer treatment may have a major adverse impact on urinary and sexual function and on quality of life. Penile-sparing surgery and radiation therapies are available, and in selected patients offer good outcomes with acceptable rates of local recurrence. Penile-sparing surgery should be preferred when indicated. Follow-up with periodical controls is mandatory up to 5 years. However, risk of local, nodal and distant recurrence after 5 years was reported. Imaging is not routinely recommended during follow-up. Patients should be trained to self-examination during the follow-up.
Minerva urologica e nefrologica = The Italian journal of urology and nephrology. 2018 Sep 19 [Epub ahead of print]
Michele Marchioni, Francesco Berardinelli, Cosimo De Nunzio, Philippe Spiess, Francesco Porpiglia, Luigi Schips, Luca Cindolo
Department of Urology, SS Annunziata Hospital, "G.D'Annunzio" University of Chieti, Chieti, Italy., Department of Urology, ASL Abruzzo 2, Chieti, Italy., Department of Urology, Ospedale Sant'Andrea, 'Sapienza' University of Rome, Rome, Italy., Department of Genitourinary Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA., Division of Urology, San Luigi Gonzaga Hospital and University of Turin, Orbassano, Italy., Department of Urology, ASL Abruzzo 2, Chieti, Italy - .