title: The relationship between characteristics of inguinal lymph nodes and pelvic lymph node involvement in penile squamous cell carcinoma: a single institution experience.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We determined predictors of pelvic lymph node metastases in patients with penile cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrieved a total of 188 node positive inguinal groins from 142 patients treated for penile cancer. Logistic regression models were fitted to test for predictors of pelvic lymph node metastases. The minimum p value method was used to determine the most significant cutoff values of each predictor.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Pelvic lymph node metastases were observed in 45 cases (31.7%). The 5-year cancer specific survival rate was 71.0% vs 33.2% in patients with inguinal vs pelvic lymph node metastases. The most significant cutoff values were 3 inguinal lymph node metastases and a metastasis diameter of 30 mm. According to univariable logistic regression models the number of inguinal metastases (OR 1.92, p <0.001), the diameter of the metastases (OR 1.03, p = 0.001) and extranodal extension (OR 8.01, p <0.001) were significant predictors of pelvic lymph node metastases. These variables were also independent predictors of metastases in multivariable logistic regression models (p ≤ 0.012). Patients with 3 or more inguinal lymph node metastases and those with a metastasis diameter of 30 mm or greater were at 4.77 and 2.53-fold higher risk, respectively, of harboring pelvic lymph node metastases (p ≤ 0.006). The proportion of metastases increased significantly from 0% in cases with no risk factors to 57.1% when all 3 risk factors were observed (p <0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The number and diameter of inguinal lymph node metastases as well as extranodal extension are significantly associated with pelvic lymph node metastases. These variables should be considered to determine the need for pelvic lymph node dissection. Patients with no risk factors may be spared this dissection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Fondazione Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lughezzani
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Fondazione Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Catanzaro
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Fondazione Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Tullio
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Torelli
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Fondazione Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Piva
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Fondazione Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Davide
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Biasoni
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Fondazione Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Stagni
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Fondazione Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Crestani
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Fondazione Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Guttilla
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Fondazione Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Daniele
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Raggi
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Fondazione Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Patrizia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Giannatempo
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Fondazione Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Necchi
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Fondazione Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pizzocaro
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Fondazione Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Colecchia
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Fondazione Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Salvioni
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Fondazione Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Italy. Electronic address: nicola.nicolai@istitutotumori.mi.it.
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nicolai
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000465:Algorithms; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000556:secondary*; D006801:Humans; D007264:Inguinal Canal; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010388:Pelvis; D010412:Penile Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
keywords: carcinoma; lymph node excision; neoplasm metastasis; penis; prognosis; squamous cell