Long-term follow-up of men undergoing modified inguinal lymphadenectomy for carcinoma of the penis.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the long-term outcome of men with carcinoma of the penis with clinically negative lymph nodes undergoing a modification of the standard inguinal lymphadenectomy.


METHODS
The study included nine men (mean age 56.2 years, range 41-72) with squamous cell carcinoma of the penis who underwent a modified inguinal lymphadenectomy.


RESULTS
Of the nine patients, three had histologically positive lymph nodes; none of the patients with positive or negative nodes had evidence of recurrent disease. All patients were alive within a follow-up of 13-108 months (mean 67.5). Early post-operative complications occurred in two patients with skin-flap necrosis, one with prolonged lymphatic drainage and one with a delayed groin lymphocele and cellulitis.


CONCLUSIONS
The modified inguinal lymphadenectomy is a reasonable alternative to surveillance and may accurately identify men with positive nodes. Long-term survival and low morbidity seem to justify this approach in men with squamous cell carcinoma of the penis and clinically negative inguinal lymph nodes.
Colberg
J W
JW
Division of Urologic Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, USA.
Andriole
G L
GL
Catalona
W J
WJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007264:Inguinal Canal / Q000601:surgery; D008197:Lymph Node Excision / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010412:Penile Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome