Penile verrucous carcinoma successfully treated by intra-aortic infusion with methotrexate.
OBJECTIVE
Penile verrucous carcinoma is characterized by aggressive local growth and a low metastatic potential. Lower abdominal aortic infusion chemotherapy has the main advantage of delivering a very high concentration of an anticancer drug to the whole pelvic area, including the penis, and is especially suitable to treat penile verrucous carcinoma.


METHODS
From 1991 to 2000, 4 cases of penile verrucous carcinoma were treated by continuous intra-aortic infusion with methotrexate (50 mg) every 24 hours, for an average of 10 days. Citrovorum factor (6 mg) was given intramuscularly every 6 hours during the period of methotrexate infusion.


RESULTS
After treatment, 3 patients achieved complete remission. They were living disease free 10 years, 10 months, 6 years, 9 months, and 1 year, 8 months after therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
Intra-aortic infusion chemotherapy is a simple and effective method for penile verrucous carcinoma with the unique advantage of preserving cosmetic and functional integrity. It may be considered an effective alternative treatment for penile verrucous carcinoma. By using this simple method many unnecessary penectomies can be avoided.
Sheen
Maw-Chang
MC
Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Sheu
Hamm-Ming
HM
Huang
Chun-Hsiung
CH
Wang
Yi-Wen
YW
Chai
Chee-Yin
CY
Wu
Chih-Fung
CF
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001012:Aorta, Abdominal / Q000378:metabolism*; D018289:Carcinoma, Verrucous / Q000098:blood supply / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005076:Exanthema / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007261:Infusions, Intra-Arterial / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010412:Penile Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011537:Pruritus / Q000209:etiology; D012074:Remission Induction / Q000379:methods; D013624:Taiwan
D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D008727:Methotrexate