Squamous cell carcinoma of the penis: a retrospective review of forty-five patients in northwest Louisiana

BACKGROUND: Squamous cell carcinoma of the penis is a rare malignancy in the United States, accounting for only 0.4% of all cancers in men. METHODS: From June 1975 to June 2000, 45 patients were diagnosed and treated for squamous cell carcinoma of the penis at our institution. Their medical records were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: The mean age at diagnosis was 63 years; 62% were white and 38% African American. Eighty-nine percent of our population was uncircumcised. Twenty patients had primary ilioinguinal lymph node dissections, with 11 positive for squamous cell carcinoma. Follow-up was documented for 42 patients, with a mean of 47 months. Four patients had local penile recurrence at a mean of 22 months after initial treatment. Nine patients had died of penile carcinoma at a mean of 18 months. CONCLUSION: Squamous cell carcinoma of the penis accounts for 0.3% of malignancies in men seen at our institution. Nodal metastasis was a poor prognostic indicator. Although local penile recurrence was rare (8.8%), patients should be counseled on the importance of self-examination.