Brachytherapy for penile cancer using silicon mold.

We analyzed the treatment results of 15 patients with penile cancer treated by afterloading brachytherapy with a silicon-made mold we devised. The group included 8 patients with T1, 5 with T2 and 2 with T3 tumors, and inguinal lymph node metastases were noted in 4 patients. The total dose of brachytherapy ranged from 32 to 74 Gy with or without an electron beam boost. The median dose rate was 200 cGy/h ranging from 100 to 350 cGy/h. Local control was achieved in 12 of the 15 patients (80%), and was related to the T category, with 100% of T1 and 80% of T2, in contrast to 0% of T3 tumor. Three patients with partial response or residual tumor underwent amputation. Local recurrence was recognized in 1 patient with a T2 tumor, but salvaged by surgery. Penis conservation was achieved in 11 of 15 patients (73%). Of the 4 patients with inguinal lymph node metastases, 3 were controlled by surgery and radiation therapy. The other with a T3 tumor died from the disease. Brachytherapy with a mold for penile cancer was considered to be the first choice for penis-conserving therapy, and the patients with T1 and T2 tumors have good indications for this method of treatment.