The role of radiation therapy after incomplete resection of penile cancer.

PURPOSE

To retrospectively assess the outcome in patients treated with adjuvant radiotherapy for penile cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between 1987 and 2006, 24 patients (median age, 62.7 years; range, 35.5-90.4 years) with squamous cell carcinoma of the penis (T1, n = 10; T2, n = 11; T3, n = 3) received megavoltage external radiotherapy (n = 22) or (192)Ir high-dose-rate brachytherapy (n = 2) following total penectomy (n = 7), partial penectomy (n = 10), or local excision (n = 7); lymphadenectomy was performed in eight patients. In 14 patients, radiotherapy was delivered after incomplete tumor resection, and in 20 patients the planning target volume included the regional lymph nodes. Median total dose of external radiotherapy was 56 Gy/1.8-2 Gy (range, 50-60 Gy). Brachytherapy was given with a total dose of 45 Gy/3 Gy.

RESULTS

During a median follow-up of 58.4 months, penile or perineal recurrence was found in four patients giving a 5-year local control rate of 74.8%. Regional failure occurred in two patients. 5-year metastases-free survival and progression-free survival rates were 86.7% and 64.5%, respectively. Four patients died due to tumor progression. The actuarial 5-year cause-specific and overall survival rates were 84.3 and 56.6%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Radiation therapy is a successful method of treatment for penile cancer in terms of local control and organ preservation after microscopically incomplete surgery. Radiotherapy of the regional lymph nodes might also be effective in preventing regional recurrence and can be considered in case of high-risk features and following excision of extensive lymph node involvement.