Prognostic factors in node-positive carcinoma of the penis

BACKGROUND: Lymph node metastasis is the most important prognostic factor in patients with carcinoma of the penis. In this article, we have reviewed the outcome of the patients with pathologic node-positive carcinoma of the penis after groin dissection performed at the Cancer Institute (WIA) between 1987 and 1998. METHODS: The case records of all patients who underwent groin dissection for carcinoma of the penis between 1987 and 1998 were analyzed. RESULTS: Between 1987 and 1998, 128 patients underwent groin dissections for carcinoma of the penis at Cancer Institute (WIA), Chennai. Out of them, 102 patients had pathologic node-positive disease. The 5-year overall survival (OS) for these patients was 51.1%. Patients with metastasis only to inguinal nodes had a 5-year OS of 64.6% whereas none of the patients with pelvic nodal metastasis survived for 5 years. Among the pathologically node-positive patients, the factors adversely influencing survival on multivariate analysis were bilateral nodal metastases, number of positive inguinal nodes, pelvic nodal metastasis, and extranodal extension. CONCLUSIONS: Groin dissection is an effective treatment for nodal metastasis from carcinoma of the penis. However, innovative approaches are needed for the subset of patients with dismal outlook.