The results of primary radiation therapy in the management of squamous cell carcinoma of the penis.
OBJECTIVE
The outcome of radical external beam radiation therapy for 26 consecutive patients with invasive carcinoma of the penis treated between 1970 and 1985 was assessed to test the efficacy, and side effects of such treatment.


METHODS
A retrospective review of 26 patients with invasive carcinoma of the penis and 11 patients with carcinoma in-situ of the penis, treated at the Princess Margaret Hospital between 1970 and 1985, was performed. Radiation treatment was delivered using 60Co or 100-250 kv equipment to a dose ranging from 25 Gy in 10 fractions over 2 weeks to 60 Gy in 25 fractions over 5 weeks. The most often used XRT prescription was 50 Gy in 20 fractions over 4 weeks.


RESULTS
The 5-year overall actuarial survival for patients with invasive cancers was 62% (+/- 10) and the cause-specific survival was 69% (+/- 9). The control of the primary lesion was 61.5%. Of five patients who progressed after initial radiotherapy, one patient was salvaged by penectomy. Of 11 patients who recurred after initial complete response, three did so in the penis alone and all were successfully salvaged by penectomy. Late complications were recorded in seven patients, two of whom underwent penectomy as a result. All patients with carcinoma in-situ achieved a complete response and, with follow-up ranging from 1 to 14 years, none recurred.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that radiation therapy with surgery reserved for the management of local recurrence is an effective first line treatment for patients with carcinoma of the penis.
McLean
M
M
Dept. of Radiation Oncology, Princess Margaret Hospital, University of Toronto, Canada.
Akl
A M
AM
Warde
P
P
Bissett
R
R
Panzarella
T
T
Gospodarowicz
M
M
D000206:Actuarial Analysis; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002278:Carcinoma in Situ / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D003037:Cobalt Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010412:Penile Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis
D003037:Cobalt Radioisotopes