A single-centre experience of the management of inguinal lymph nodes associated with penile squamous-cell carcinoma

Abstract

Background: Twenty-two cases of penile carcinoma that were managed at our institution over a 5-year period were analysed on the basis of inguinal lymph node dissection (ILND), complications and follow-up. Methods: A total of 22 cases post penectomy were stratified into low risk (T1 G1 or G2 without lympho-vascular invasion and negative on fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC)) and high risk (T1 G3 and above and/or lympho-vascular invasion). Low-risk patients having palpable lymphadenopathy were given a course of antibiotics. If the lymph nodes were still palpable, FNAC was done, and patients then underwent superficial ILND (SILND) or even ILND in cases with positive frozen-section reports. In the high-risk group, all patients underwent SILND, and if required, underwent ILND. Two patients in the high-risk group were lost to follow-up after 9 months. Histopathology reports were noted, and patients were followed up for 2 years. Results: In the low-risk group, seven patients had palpable lymph nodes and underwent SILND. The remaining five patients were put on surveillance. Amongst the seven who underwent SILND, six were positive at frozen section, requiring ILND. Nine patients in the high-risk group underwent ILND. Four patients in the ILND group had a minor wound infection. Lymphoedema was seen in two patients which was managed conservatively, and lymphorrhoea was seen in one patient. Flap necrosis occurred in one patient. Recurrences were seen in three patients in the high-risk group. Two who had deep node involvement and who had early nodal recurrence underwent bilateral ILND. One patient in the high-risk group had late ipsilateral nodal recurrence and underwent ipsilateral ILND. There were no regional recurrences. Conclusion: Carcinoma of the penis has high morbidity because of delayed presentation, lack of awareness and poor compliance. This necessitates staging SILND in all high-risk cases for therapeutic and prognostic purposes.