Reconstructive Surgery for Invasive Squamous Carcinoma of the Glans Penis

Abstract

ObjectivesWe present medium-term outcome data for patients with invasive penile cancer treated with glansectomy and reconstruction with a split-thickness skin graft. MethodsA series of consecutive patients referred with penile malignancies over a 6-yr period were analyzed prospectively. A dedicated histopathologist reviewed all the specimens. After clinical staging, patients with tumours confined to the glans were offered glansectomy. ResultsA total of 72 patients (32% of patients, 31% of procedures) underwent glansectomy for penile carcinoma. Of these, 65 patients were new diagnoses and seven were recurrences after radiotherapy. The mean follow-up period was 27 mo (range: 4–68 mo). There have been three late local recurrences (4%). ConclusionGlansectomy appears to be an oncologically safe and effective procedure for patients with glans-confined squamous cell tumours. It preserves maximum phallic length and results in a very satisfactory cosmetic penile appearance after reconstruction.