[Treatment, by 192-iridium curietherapy, of epitheliomas of the penis. Apropos of 36 cases].

Since 1975, 36 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the penis have been treated with 192 Iridium at the Centre Léon Bérard: 17 T1 lesions, 18 T2 lesions and one T3 lesion. The tumor was less than 4 cm in diameter in 31 cases. Two patients presented with local recurrences after local excision and/or external beam irradiation with 60 Cobalt. In 32 patients followed for more than one year, the rate of local control was 84% (27/32). Five local failures were controlled by subsequent salvage surgery. The rate of severe complications is 25% (8/32): 2 urethral stenoses, 4 necroses, and 2 severe fibrosis. Conservation of a functional organ was possible in 72% of cases (23/32). Amputation was necessary in the 5 patients with lesions of more than 4 cm, because of local failure or painful complications. Ten patients had palpable inguinal lymph nodes, which were found to be involved in 4 cases. Three were controlled by combined radiotherapy and surgery. Among patients off any lymphadenopathy at the time of diagnosis, only one subsequently developed an inguinal metastasis which was controlled by radiotherapy and surgery. The disease-free survival rate was 81% at 3 years (22/27) and 75% at 5 years (12/16). Only one patient died of carcinoma. Curietherapy with 192 Iridium is very suitable treatment for cancers of the penis less than 4 cm in diameter. In most patients, the quality of life will be better than with primary surgical amputation, because sexual function is preserved.