title: On the classification of penis carcinoma and its 10-year survival.
abstract: With respect to the primary tumor there is no difference between the proposal of the UICC and the Heidelberg version for TNM classification of the penis carcinoma. Clinically the Heidelberg scheme seems more practical, but there were no statistical differences between them. With respect to the prognosis for the patient,  the size and localization of the primary tumor are of secondary importance. What is important is the degree of tumor spreading in the lymph system. From this point of view, one needs only to differentiate between T1 (tumor restricted to the penis) and T2 (tumor extending the bounds of the penis). On the other hand, size, localization, and degree of infiltration of penis carcinoma do have different therapeutic consequences, so from this point of view the differentiation of the primary tumor from T1 up to T4 should be retained. With respect to the classification of the state of the corresponding lymph system it is our opinion that the UICC proposal is too differentiated and has little meaning. In its stead, the Heidelberg scheme is clear and simple. Any examiner can complete it. With the help of life tables extending beyond 10 years after diagnosis we were able to determine that 5 years is not a sufficiently long time to clsoe a case of penis cancer. Even with proper treatment, the patient may suffer up to 10 years or more from the disease. In patients aged between 50 and 59 years of age the cancer seems to grow faster; in spite of proper and intensive treatment those patients had a clearly limited life expectancy. In patients aged 60-69 and more so in those between 70 and 79 years of age the tumor seemed to grow slowly and often had no effect on the survival rate.
mesh_terms: D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D010412:Penile Neoplasms / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis; D011379:Prognosis