title: Squamous cell carcinoma of the penis: clinicopathologic study of 34 cases.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In Brazil, the incidence of penile cancer is 8.3 cases per 100,000 population, in contrast to 0.7 in Europe and the United States. 95% of these cases correspond to squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). It is usually diagnosed late.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To describe the clinicopathologic features of squamous cell carcinoma of the penis registered at the Hospital between 1978 and 2004.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional observational study. We included cases of squamous cell carcinoma of the penis that were histologically confirmed. Those patients who responded to the study call were evaluated in person, while others had their data researched in medical records.
  
  
  RESULTS
  34 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the penis were registered: 8 in situ and 26 invasive, with a mean age of 54.7 ± 22.4 and 64,7 ± 12.5 years, respectively. Glans cancer was involved in 91.1% of the cases and the foreskin in 41.1%. SCC in situ exhibited papules or erythema and erosion, usually smaller than 2 cm. Invasive SCC was characterized by ulcers and/or vegetation, usually single and bigger than 2 cm. Of the invasive cases, 80.8% were well differentiated; half was in the TNM stage I and the remaining in stages II to IV. 16 patients had their penis amputated, and 3 died.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cancer of the penis is rare and affects adults of all ages and treatment can be aggressive. The nonspecific clinical appearance of early lesions, insufficient medical training in skin lesions and lack of routine diagnostic investigation, treatment and follow up of these cases contribute to the poor prognosis of this neoplasm.
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. fabiana.wanick@gmail.com
authors.forename: Fabiana Braga França
authors.initials: FB
authors.lastname: Wanick
authors.forename: Tullia Cuzzi
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Teichner
authors.forename: Rosane
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Mônica Maria Ferreira
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Magnanini
authors.forename: Lucia Maria Soares de
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Azevedo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001938:Brazil; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010412:Penile Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D055815:Young Adult