Carcinoma of the penis: improved survival by early regional lymphadenectomy based on the histological grade and depth of invasion of the primary lesion.

PURPOSE

This study was performed to validate a new staging system and support the concept of early regional lymphadenectomy based on this system.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 76 cases from 4 teaching hospitals was reviewed.

RESULTS

Of 24 patients with well or moderately differentiated noninvasive primary tumors 1 had regional metastases compared to 43 of 52 patients with poorly differentiated or invasive tumors.

CONCLUSIONS

By classifying disease according to the depth of invasion and degree of differentiation of the primary lesions a high degree of accuracy could be obtained in predicting the likelihood of positive groin nodes. Removing groin nodes that are microscopically positive improves the survival rate over that of delayed lymphadenectomy.