OBJECTIVE: To determine the long-term outcome of men with carcinoma of the penis with clinically negative lymph nodes undergoing a modification of the standard inguinal lymphadenectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included nine men (mean age 56.2 years, range 41-72) with squamous cell carcinoma of the penis who underwent a modified inguinal lymphadenectomy. RESULTS: Of the nine patients, three had histologically positive lymph nodes; none of the patients with positive or negative nodes had evidence of recurrent disease. All patients were alive within a follow-up of 13-108 months (mean 67.5). Early post-operative complications occurred in two patients with skin-flap necrosis, one with prolonged lymphatic drainage and one with a delayed groin lymphocele and cellulitis. CONCLUSION: The modified inguinal lymphadenectomy is a reasonable alternative to surveillance and may accurately identify men with positive nodes. Long-term survival and low morbidity seem to justify this approach in men with squamous cell carcinoma of the penis and clinically negative inguinal lymph nodes.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Colberg et al. (1997) studied this question.