Penile cancer: impact of age at diagnosis on morphology and prognosis.
OBJECTIVE
In order to describe epidemiological and pathological features of penile cancer in a high-risk area of Brazil.


METHODS
We reviewed the experience (378 patients from 1997 to 2007) of Hospital Aristides Maltez from Salvador, Bahia-the main institution in the state which provides oncologic treatment for penile cancer in the public health system.


RESULTS
The present series showed a high rate (17 %) of patients less than 40 years at the time of diagnosis. Cancer-specific death rate in this age group was 19 % (in contrast to 11 and 13 % in the 41-60 and >60 age groups). Squamous cell carcinomas in younger patients were also more likely to exhibit infiltrative growth pattern, perineural invasion, and recurrence.


CONCLUSIONS
Regardless of tumor subtypes, penile carcinoma in Northeastern Brazil had more aggressive features and behavior when presented at younger age. This observation should be confirmed in other large series from endemic areas of penile cancer.
Gonçalo Moniz Research Center, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rua Waldemar Falcão, 121, Salvador, Brazil.
Geise Rezende
GR
Paiva
Iguaracyra Barreto
IB
de Oliveira Araújo
Daniel Abensur
DA
Athanazio
Luiz Antonio Rodrigues
LA
de Freitas
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D017668:Age of Onset; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000556:secondary* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D010412:Penile Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D011379:Prognosis; D015996:Survival Rate; D061665:Time-to-Treatment