title: Update in the surgical principles and therapeutic outcomes of inguinal lymph node dissection for penile cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Inguinal lymph node dissection (ILND) for the treatment of metastatic penile squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) has historically been associated with significant morbidity. This review addresses the surgical principles and techniques to decrease its perioperative morbidity, while optimizing its oncologic outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  A review of the English scientific literature from 1966 to present was conducted using the PubMed search engine as well as of additional cited works not initially noted in the search using as keywords penile cancer, inguinal lymph node dissection, inguinal lymph node metastasis, morbidity, and complications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The contemporary outcomes of ILND in the context of penile cancer have built on the significant contributions made by surgeons and scientists worldwide. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the principles of ILND optimizing oncological outcomes, while minimizing its attributable morbidity. It is hoped this review will serve as a benchmark for clinicians to approach this often highly aggressive tumor phenotype.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ILND remains an important diagnostic and therapeutic procedure for patients with penile SCC, as contemporary ILND series have reported a decrease in its associated morbidity, with the potential for further treatment outcomes in years to come. ILND can in appropriately selected patients render them disease-free, thus justifying its associated morbidity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Genito-Urinary Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL 33612, USA.
authors.forename: Cesar E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Ercole
authors.forename: Julio M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Pow-Sang
authors.forename: Philippe E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Spiess
mesh_terms: D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D006801:Humans; D007264:Inguinal Canal / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008197:Lymph Node Excision / Q000379:methods*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D010412:Penile Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome