Contemporary diagnosis and management of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the penis

Abstract

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? Penile cancer is a rare malignancy with limited evidence to support most treatment recommendations. No randomised controlled trials have been published and few recommendations are available for guiding management. However, evidence-based guidelines are currently available through the European Association of Urology. This review provides the reader with the most up-to-date information on diagnosis and management of all stages of squamous cell carcinoma of the penis. It provides a rapid review and study guide for this rare disease. • To review the current literature available on squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the penis and provide a contemporary management algorithm for treatment based on the best evidence available. • A complete review of the current English language literature was performed via PubMed and all available guidelines were reviewed. • Large randomised controlled trials are lacking in penile SCC due to the fortunately rare occurrence of the disease. • Treatment recommendations for the primary lesion, lymph nodes, and follow-up in this review are based on the best current available literature. • Early diagnosis and aggressive organ-sparing treatment remains the mainstay of therapy for penile SCC. • Variable institutional expertise currently makes treatment decisions difficult and unstandardised. • A multidisciplinary approach should be used in attempt to improve outcomes in this mutilating disease.