Squamous cell carcinoma of the penis: a retrospective review of forty-five patients in northwest Louisiana.
BACKGROUND
Squamous cell carcinoma of the penis is a rare malignancy in the United States, accounting for only 0.4% of all cancers in men.


METHODS
From June 1975 to June 2000, 45 patients were diagnosed and treated for squamous cell carcinoma of the penis at our institution. Their medical records were reviewed retrospectively.


RESULTS
The mean age at diagnosis was 63 years; 62% were white and 38% African American. Eighty-nine percent of our population was uncircumcised. Twenty patients had primary ilioinguinal lymph node dissections, with 11 positive for squamous cell carcinoma. Follow-up was documented for 42 patients, with a mean of 47 months. Four patients had local penile recurrence at a mean of 22 months after initial treatment. Nine patients had died of penile carcinoma at a mean of 18 months.


CONCLUSIONS
Squamous cell carcinoma of the penis accounts for 0.3% of malignancies in men seen at our institution. Nodal metastasis was a poor prognostic indicator. Although local penile recurrence was rare (8.8%), patients should be counseled on the importance of self-examination.
Department of Urology, Louisiana State University Health Science Center, Shreveport 71130, USA.
Brett S
BS
Carver
John A
JA
Mata
Dennis D
DD
Venable
James A
JA
Eastham
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007264:Inguinal Canal / Q000473:pathology; D008145:Louisiana / Q000453:epidemiology; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010412:Penile Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate