Inguinal Node Dissection Research Articles

P006 Video-Endoscopic Inguinal Lymph Node Dissection (VEILND) has equivalent oncological efficacy and survival to Open Inguinal Lymph Node Dissection (OILND) in penile cancer patients over a 15-year period

P006 Video-Endoscopic Inguinal Lymph Node Dissection (VEILND) has equivalent oncological efficacy and survival to Open Inguinal Lymph Node Dissection (OILND) in penile cancer patients over a 15-year period

The effect of intrawound vancomycin powder on surgical site infection in inguinal lymph node dissection: A pilot randomized control trial

The effect of intrawound vancomycin powder on surgical site infection in inguinal lymph node dissection: A pilot randomized control trial

6983 Pembrolizimab Induced Hypophysitis: Uncommon Side Effect Leading To Late Diagnosis

Abstract Disclosure: T. Chaudhary: None. O. Syed: None. A. Shridar: None. R. Kaur: None. O. Chaudhary: None. M.S. Zubair: None. Background: Pembrolizumab, an immune checkpoint inhibitor, has shown efficacy inducing remission in various malignancies. Associated immune-related adverse effects (irAEs) have been recorded but cases of concomitant hypophysitis and thyroiditis are rare. Clinical case: The patient is a 41-year-old male with a past medical history significant for metastatic melanoma of the left calf, status post sentinel lymph node biopsy and left inguinal lymph node dissection, treated with pembrolizumab for one year. He initially presented with a severe headache that was preceded by two months of fatigue and impaired concentration. CT and MRI head were both unremarkable while lab work was significant for cortisol 0.2 ug/dL and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) 1.1 pmol/L. A full hormone panel was ordered which showed normal insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Free testosterone was at the lower end of normal. Prolactin was elevated at 27.3 ng/mL. The thyroid function tests showed primary hypothyroidism with elevated thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) at 109 uIU/mL, low T4 at 1.5 ug/dL, and low free T4 at 0.4 ng/dL. There were no signs or symptoms of posterior pituitary dysfunction. The patient was diagnosed with hypophysitis and started on hydrocortisone 20 mg once daily along with levothyroxine 175 mcg once daily. DEXA scan showed normal bone mineral density. Subsequently, the patient presented to our care and reported symptom improvement after taking the prescribed medication however he continued to develop fatigue by the end of the day. Therefore, hydrocortisone prescription was switched to 15 mg in the morning and 10 mg at noon. A repeat thyroid function panel, sex hormone binding globulin, and LH were ordered, to be followed up at the patient's next visit. The patient was also advised to wear a medical alert bracelet at all times moving forward. Conclusion: Due to non-specific symptoms at onset, hypophysitis can be undiagnosed or misdiagnosed therefore it is important to have a high clinical suspicion with patients on PD-1 inhibitors presenting with such symptoms. It is also imperative to order a full set of hormones as this patient had concomitant primary hypothyroidism. Presentation: 6/1/2024

"Bottoms-up" minimally-invasive approach to inguinal lymph node dissection for penile cancer management. A single-center comparative study versus open approach and review.

Open inguinal lymph node dissection (OILND) plays a crucial role in penile cancer management, but in order to improve patient outcomes, minimally-invasive (MILND) approaches were developed. Our "bottoms-up" MILND is a novel endoscopic technique, changing the way the sequence of dissection is performed. This study aims to compare our approach to the current standard of OILND in terms of oncologic and perioperative outcomes. In our database, from 2016 to 2023, 12 patients underwent OILND and 16 had a "bottoms-up" MILND, which is performed with a three port configuration, starting the dissection under the fascia lata, dissecting the femoral vessels in the most distal part of the femoral fossa, followed by dissection of the proximal and superficial lymph nodes at the top of thefemoral triangle. For MILND, median operation time per groin was shorter (58 vs 64 minutes, p=0.34), patients presented shorter hospital stays (10 vs 18 days, p=0.32) and fewer days with drains (14 vs 24 days, p=0.01). Median lymph node yield per groin was higher for MILND (10 vs 9 nodes, p=0.7), but OILND had a higher median of positive lymph nodes (4 vs 3 nodes, p=0.63). MILND patients experienced a lower incidence of major complications (33% vs 58%, p=0.007). We have proved that our technique of MILND is not inferior to the current standard and we believe that it can further improve patient outcomes with a safer, simplified and easily reproducible approach.

Factor associated with postoperative complications of inguinal lymph node dissection for penile cancer Test

Background: Inguinal lymph node dissection (ILND) is the standard of care for palpable, biopsy-proven lymph node metastases or high-risk groups for nonpalpable lymph nodes in the treatment of penile cancer. ILND is associated with a significant incidence of complications and adverse events, specifically wound complications. Few studies have identified risk factors related to postoperative ILND complications. Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of 30-day postoperative complications and to identify risk factors associated with postoperative complications of ILND for penile cancer. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective review of medical records for all patients who had ILND for penile cancer between January 2012 and December 2022. According to the modified Clavien–Dindo classification, the 30-day postoperative complications were collected. Using an ordinal univariate logistic regression model and multivariate analysis, potential risk variables for complications were determined. Results: A total of 60 patients were performed ILND. Sixty percent of the patients had a postoperative complication including wound infection 50%, wound dehiscence 36.7%, skin necrosis 26.6%, lymphocele 33.3%, leg edema 46.7%, and scrotal edema 16.7%. Higher grade of modified Clavien–Dindo classification was associated with body mass index (BMI) (odds ratio [OR] = 1.15; P = 0.03), diabetes mellitus (OR = 3.13; P = 0.04), American Society of Anesthesiologist classification ≥3 (OR = 1.14; P = 0.03), radical ILND (OR = 1.57; P = 0.01), and bilateral ILND (OR = 1.60; P = 0.02). In multivariate analysis, a higher grade of modified Clavien–Dindo classification was correlated with BMI (OR = 1.48; P = 0.01) and bilateral ILND (OR = 4.56; P = 0.01). Conclusion: ILND is associated with high rates of complication. The severity of the modified Clavien–Dindo classification was associated with BMI and bilateral ILND.

Outcomes of Prophylactic Inguinal Lymph Node Dissection in Malignancies of Lower Limb.

To evaluate the role of early prophylactic inguinal node dissection in patients with squamous cell cancer and melanoma of lower limb. From 2008 to 2018, a Tertiary Care Hospital connected to a teaching institute served as the site of this retrospective observational study. Patient records were gathered with the purpose of gathering clinical, investigative, surgical, pathological and follow-up information. We included 33 patients in this analysis out of the 47 patients we treated ourselves between 2008 and 2018; among these 33 patients, 21 (63.63%) had palpable inguinal nodes at the time of primary presentation. All 21 patients' FNAC tests were positive for metastases, in 16 patients (76.19%). 5 patients on FNAC (23.80%) exhibited not metastases. The remaining 12 patients did not have enlarged lymph nodes at the time of their initial presentation. Patients who did not have palpable lymph node were given the option of having a modified inguinal block dissection. 8 patients with metastatic disease have nodes that are positive in histology. In addition, out of 5 patients with negative nodes 4 (80%) showed evidence of metastasis. The conclusion of this retrospective observational study is that although palpable lymph nodes in groin are unquestionably a sign that inguinal nodes should be dissected, prophylactic lymph node dissection should be still done even if nodes are not palpable or provide a negative FNAC result. Given that delayed lymphadenectomy has a significant effect on survival, delaying inguinal lymphadenectomy in non-palpable nodes could cause you to lose the battle against cancer in your lower limb. The related surgical morbidity is the only downside to prophylactic lymph node dissection. This can, however, be effectively decreased with a modified inguinal lymphadenectomy operation.

Minimally Invasive Management of Inguinal Lymph Nodes in Penile Cancer: Recent Progress and Remaining Challenges.

The diagnosis of occult inguinal lymph node metastasis in clinically node-negative invasive penile squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC) has remained a challenge, with substantial perioperative complications. The recent refinements in the technique of dynamic sentinel lymph node biopsy (DSLNB) demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy with considerably lower morbidity compared to conventional open modified/superficial inguinal lymph node dissection (ILND). Although DSLNB, if available, has been endorsed as the preferred method for nodal staging in patients with invasive PSCC and no palpable inguinal lymphadenopathy in the recent penile cancer guidelines, its utilization has been quite limited so far. Laparoscopic and robotic-assisted ILND have emerged as alternatives for nodal staging in this patient population and are shown to improve the rate of wound infections and postoperative pain. For management of nodal metastasis in patients with clinically palpable inguinal lymph nodes, minimally invasive ILND has shown promising results as well. Nonetheless, given the rarity of PSCC and the absence of prospective studies and clinical trials, nodal staging and treatment of nodal metastasis in clinical practice will likely continue to vary across the medical centers in the following years. In this review, we first summarize the evolution of DSLNB and minimally invasive ILND and discuss the advantages and drawbacks of each management strategy. We further discuss the remaining challenges and future perspectives in the management of inguinal lymph nodes in patients with PSCC.

The surgical technique and protocol for dynamic sentinel node biopsy for penile cancer at a Southeast Asian regional hospital.

Lymph node status is a key prognostic factor in penile cancer. The European Association of Urology (EAU) recommends intermediate-risk (pT1a, Grade 2) or high-risk (pT1b or greater) penile cancer patients with clinically non-palpable inguinal lymph node (cN0) to undergo either an invasive bilateral modified inguinal lymph node dissection (ILND) or dynamic sentinel node biopsy (DSNB). DSNB has been reported to have acceptable false negative rates, and lower rates of long-term morbidity compared to ILND. We developed a protocol for DSNB at a regional hospital in Singapore that was adopted from St James's University Hospital, Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust. Four patients with cN0 penile cancer underwent DSNB between November 2021 and October 2022 according to this protocol. Our surgical technique and protocol are described. The patients' oncological characteristics and their outcomes were evaluated. In this small case series, there was no complication attributable to the performance of DSNB, and there was no groin that was documented to be false negative over a median follow up of 15.5 months (range, 12 to 22 months). Using our protocol, 5 of 8 groins (62.5%) were able to avoid ILND in the cN0 setting. We recommend the adoption of DSNB for the surgical staging of inguinal lymph nodes for patients with intermediate to high-risk penile cancer and non-palpable inguinal nodes due to its significantly lower risks of long-term morbidity compared to ILND. Appropriate specialist training and a multi-disciplinary team is vital to ensure the success of the procedure.

Comparing the safety and effectiveness of minimally invasive surgery and open inguinal lymph node dissection in penile cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

ObjectiveTo compare the safety and effectiveness of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) with open inguinal lymph node dissection (O-ILND) in penile cancer. MethodsWe performed a systematic reviews and cumulative meta-analyses of primary results of interest according to PRISMA criteria, and quality assessment followed AMSTAR. The system searched five databases, including Zhiwang, Embase, PubMed, Cochrane Library and Web of Science. The search period ranged was from database creation until September 2023. The statistical analysis software used Stata16. ResultsA total of 16 studies, including 898 patients. Compared to O-ILND, MIS is superior in length of stay (WMD = −2.96, 95%CI [-4.38, −1.54], P < 0.05), drainage time (WMD = −3.24, 95%CI [-4.70, −1.78], P < 0.05) and estimated blood loss (WMD = −35.70, 95%CI [-46.27, −25.14], P < 0.05), while operation time, recurrence rate and 5-year overall survival rate are the same. The number of lymph nodes dissection between the two groups are not statistically significant. Subgroup analyses found that there are more lymph nodes dissection in robotic-assisted inguinal lymph nodes dissection (WMD = 0.50, 95%CI [0.20, 0.80], P < 0.05). The overall complication rate of MIS was lower (OR = 0.26, 95%CI [0.09, 0.70], P < 0.05). ConclusionMinimally invasive inguinal lymph nodes dissection appears to be a better option for penile cancer cases. But more large samples and multicenter studies are needed to further confirm.

Complications and adverse events in lymphadenectomy of the inguinal area: worldwide expert consensus.

Inguinal lymph node dissection plays an important role in the management of melanoma, penile and vulval cancer. Inguinal lymph node dissection is associated with various intraoperative and postoperative complications with significant heterogeneity in classification and reporting. This lack of standardization challenges efforts to study and report inguinal lymph node dissection outcomes. The aim of this study was to devise a system to standardize the classification and reporting of inguinal lymph node dissection perioperative complications by creating a worldwide collaborative, the complications and adverse events in lymphadenectomy of the inguinal area (CALI) group. A modified 3-round Delphi consensus approach surveyed a worldwide group of experts in inguinal lymph node dissection for melanoma, penile and vulval cancer. The group of experts included general surgeons, urologists and oncologists (gynaecological and surgical). The survey assessed expert agreement on inguinal lymph node dissection perioperative complications. Panel interrater agreement and consistency were assessed as the overall percentage agreement and Cronbach's α. Forty-seven experienced consultants were enrolled: 26 (55.3%) urologists, 11 (23.4%) surgical oncologists, 6 (12.8%) general surgeons and 4 (8.5%) gynaecology oncologists. Based on their expertise, 31 (66%), 10 (21.3%) and 22 (46.8%) of the participants treat penile cancer, vulval cancer and melanoma using inguinal lymph node dissection respectively; 89.4% (42 of 47) agreed with the definitions and inclusion as part of the inguinal lymph node dissection intraoperative complication group, while 93.6% (44 of 47) agreed that postoperative complications should be subclassified into five macrocategories. Unanimous agreement (100%, 37 of 37) was achieved with the final standardized classification system for reporting inguinal lymph node dissection complications in melanoma, vulval cancer and penile cancer. The complications and adverse events in lymphadenectomy of the inguinal area classification system has been developed as a tool to standardize the assessment and reporting of complications during inguinal lymph node dissection for the treatment of melanoma, vulval and penile cancer.

Short- and long-term outcomes of surgical treatment for inguinal lymph node metastasis in rectal and anal canal adenocarcinoma.

The significance of lymphadenectomy and its indications in patients with inguinal lymph node metastasis (ILNM) of anorectal adenocarcinoma is unclear. This study aimed to clarify the surgical outcomes and prognostic factors of inguinal lymphadenectomy for ILNM. This study included patients who underwent surgical resection for ILNM of rectal or anal canal adenocarcinoma with pathologically positive metastases between 1997 and 2011 at 20 participating centres in the Study Group for Inguinal Lymph Node Metastasis from Colorectal Cancer organized by the Japanese Society for Cancer of the Colon and Rectum. Clinicopathological characteristics and short- and long-term postoperative outcomes were retrospectively analysed. In total, 107 patients were included. The primary tumour was in the rectum in 57 patients (53.3%) and in the anal canal in 50 (46.7%). The median number of ILNMs was 2.34. Postoperative complications of Clavien-Dindo Grade III or higher were observed in five patients. The 5-year overall survival rate was 38.8%. Multivariate analysis identified undifferentiated histological type (P < 0.001), pathological venous invasion (P = 0.01) and pathological primary tumour depth T0-2 (P = 0.01) as independent prognostic factors for poor overall survival. The 5-year overall survival after inguinal lymph node dissection was acceptable, and it warrants consideration in more patients. Further larger-scale studies are needed in order to clarify the surgical indications.

Indocyanine green near-infrared fluorescence-assisted video endoscopic inguinal lymph node dissection for rectal cancer: a single-center experience

Indocyanine green near-infrared fluorescence-assisted video endoscopic inguinal lymph node dissection for rectal cancer: a single-center experience

Robot-assisted inguinal lymphadenectomy to treat penile and vulvar cancers: a scoping review.

Inguinal lymph nodes dissection (ILND) is recommended in patients presenting with high-risk penile (PC) or vulvar cancers (VC). Though, this surgical procedure is underused because of its anticipated morbidity. Minimally invasive approaches were proposed to minimize complications associated with open surgery. In this review, we analyze current available data exploring intra and perioperative outcomes of robot-assisted ILND (RAIL). On April 9th, 2023, a literature search was conducted using the PubMed and Scopus databases. The search employed the combination of the following terms: ("robotic assisted" OR "robot-assisted" OR "robotic") AND ("inguinal lymph node dissection" OR "lymphadenectomy") AND ("penile cancer" OR "vulvar cancer"). Out of the 404 identified articles, 18 were used for the present scoping review and their results were reported according to the PRISMA statement. Data on 171 patients, ranging in age from 32 to 85 years, were obtained. Most of them (90.6%) harbored a penile squamous cell carcinoma and presented with no palpable nodes (85%). Operation time (OT) ranged between 45 and 300 min. Estimated blood loss varied from 10 to 300 mL. One single intra-operative complication was reported and one conversion to open was recorded. The lymph nodes (LNs) count spanned from 3 to 26 per groin, with 17 studies reporting a median yield >7 nodes. Hospital stay was 1-7 days, while the duration of drainage ranged from 4 to 72 days. Post-operative complications included lymphocele (22.2%; 0-100%), lymphedema (13.4%; 0-40%), cellulitis (11.1%; 0-25%), skin necrosis (8.7%; 0-15.4%). seroma (3.5%; 0-20%) and wound breakdown/wound infection (2.9%; 0-10%). Out of the included studies, 7 provided at least a 12-month follow-up, with recurrence-free rates ranging from 50% to 100% in patients affected by penile cancer and from 92% to 100% in vulvar cancer patients. The available evidence on RAIL for the treatment of PC and VC is limited. The approach appears to be safe and effective, as it provides an adequate lymph node yield while ensuring a minimally morbid postoperative course and a short hospital stay.

Robot-Assisted Video Endoscopic Inguinal Lymph Node Dissection for Penile Cancer: An Indian Multicenter Experience.

Objective: To report outcomes of multicenter series of penile cancer patients undergoing robot-assisted video endoscopic inguinal lymph node dissection (RA-VEIL). Materials and Methods: In this retrospective analysis from 3 tertiary care centers in India, consecutive intermediate-/high-risk carcinoma penis (CaP) patients with nonpalpable inguinal lymphadenopathy and/or nonbulky (<3 cm) mobile inguinal lymphadenopathy undergoing RA-VEIL were included. Patients with matted/bulky (>3 cm) and fixed lymphadenopathy were excluded. Demographic, clinical, and intraoperative data were recorded. Perioperative complications were graded by the Clavien-Dindo classification (CDC). The International Society of Lymphology (ISL) {0-III} grading was used for the assessment of lymphedema. Incidence and pattern of recurrences were assessed on follow-up. Results: From January 1, 2011, to September 30, 2023, 115 patients (230 groins) underwent bilateral RA-VEIL for CaP. The median age of the cohort was 60 (50-69) years. Clinically palpable (either unilateral or bilateral) inguinal lymphadenopathy was seen in 54 patients (47%). The "per groin" median operative time was 120 (100-140) minutes with median lymph node yield of 12 (9-16). No complications were recorded in 87.8% groins operated, with major complications (CDC 3) seen in 2.6% groins. At a median follow-up of 13.5 months, 13 patients had documented recurrences and there were 10 cancer-related deaths. No port-site recurrences were observed. No/minimal lymphedema (ISL 0/I) was seen in 94% legs. Conclusion: RA-VEIL demonstrates safety and oncologic efficacy in penile cancer patients presenting with clinically nonpalpable and/or nonbulky inguinal lymphadenopathy, with favorable functional outcomes.

Reducing the incidence of problematic seroma formation and skin necrosis post-lymphadenectomy: Triple action of topical tranexamic acid, negative pressure wound therapy, and prolonged drainage

BackgroundAxillary and inguinal lymph node dissections are commonly associated with complications that often require additional interventions. MethodsPatients who underwent axillary or inguinal lymphadenectomy via standard procedures were compared to an intervention cohort of patients who underwent axillary or inguinal lymphadenectomy with the use of topical tranexamic acid (TXA) to the wound cavity, a PICO (Smith&Nephew UK) closed-incision negative pressure dressing, and discharged early with a drain in-situ. ResultsSeventy-six patients in the control group (mean age 65.8 years, mean BMI 28.4 kg/m2) underwent open lymphadenectomy without topical TXA and a simple dressing. Seventy-eight patients were included in the intervention group (mean age 67.1 years, mean BMI 28.5 kg/m2). Patients in the intervention group had an inpatient stay of mean 5.6 days fewer than those in the control group (CI 3.09–5.31; p < .0001), an estimated saving to the healthcare trust of £ 3046.40 (US$3723.61) per patient in “bed days.” They had longer drain duration (mean 15 days vs. 8.3 days); however, they had a statistically significant lower risk of seroma formation requiring drainage (6.4% vs. 21%; p = .009), and skin necrosis (0% vs. 6.6%; p = .027). They also had a lower risk of infection (17% vs. 29%), wound dehiscence (15% vs. 25%), and readmission (7.7% vs. 14%), although they were not statistically significant.Patients in the control group were more likely to receive antibiotics as inpatients (51% vs. 7.7%; p < .00001) and on discharge (24% vs. 5%; p < .0011) than those in the intervention group. ConclusionsTopical TXA, PICO dressing, and early discharge with a drain following lymphadenectomy results in a reduced rate of complications.

A Secondary Urothelial Carcinoma of the Penis Diagnosed

Aim: Penile cancer is one of the rarest urogenital cancers. Penile metastases after cystectomy are possible and seem to be associated with the existence of an extensive tumor on the surgical specimen. Case Presentation: We report here the case of old man 78 years old, with a history of Radical Cysto-Prostatectomy with Bricker type urinary diversion, indicated for a pT3N0M0R0 infiltrating urothelial carcinoma of the bladder. He had consulted 7 years post surgery for an indurated lesion of the penis with urethrorrhagia. On examination, he presented an ulcerative-necrotic lesion under the left lateral coronal area of the penis, a diffuse induration of corporal bodies from the glans to the bulb, bilateral inguinal macro lymphadenopathies. Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the penis suggested a tumor extending over the entire penis, infiltrating the corpora cavernosa and spongiosa, with invasion of the albuginea, adjacent fat and skin. In view of this picture, a total penectomy with emasculation was performed. The histology of the surgical specimen showed a poorly differentiated urothelial carcinoma with an immunohistochemical study in favor of a primary urothelial origin (GATA3+). The tumor infiltrated both corpora cavernosa and the urethra with positive margins of resection. The right inguinal lymph node dissection showed one metastatic node out of two. The left inguinal lymph node dissection showed one metastatic lymph node out of six with capsular rupture. Thoracic-abdominopelvic CT Scan showed a right inguinal adenopathy with no other lesions suggestive of secondary localization. The diagnosis of secondary urothelial carcinoma of the penis classified as pT4N2M0R1 was made and the patient underwent chemotherapy on tumor board meeting. Conclusion: Secondary cancers of the penis, although rare, can occur years after radical treatment of the primary tumor. Immuno-histochemestry was esential to differentiate from primary squamous cell carcinoma in our case.

Penile carcinoma: A retrospective analysis of 93 patients at a tertiary care center in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Penile carcinoma (PC) is a rare disease with considerable physical and psychological impact. To date, there is no data regarding PC prevalence and characteristics in Indonesia. This study aimed to analyze the characteristics of patients with PC in Indonesia and determine cumulative survival rates and time to disease progression. This was a retrospective study of all patients diagnosed with PC at Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital from 1995 to 2014, with a minimum of 1 year follow-up. The outcomes of the study were cumulative survival rates and time-to-disease progression. Ninety-three subjects were recruited, with a mean age of 49.44 ± 13.62. Inguinal lymph node dissection (ILND) was performed in 49 (53%) patients. The mean survival in the ILND group was better compared to the non-ILND group (80.7 months vs. 67.1 months; p = 0.032). Time-to-progression in the ILND group was significantly longer than in the non-ILND group (71.7 months vs. 54.3 months; p = 0.022). No significant difference in survival between the total and partial penectomy (PP) groups was observed (p = 0.701). Time-to-progression in total penectomy (TP) was significantly longer than in PP (68 months vs. 56.0 months; p = 0.023). In Cox-regression analysis, after adjustment of other variables, history of ILND, higher stage of cancer, and older age were found to affect the survival of patients. ILND in PC led to better survival and reduced disease progression. The type of penectomy is only associated with progression but not survival. TP had a longer time to disease progression compared to PP.

Robotic or open superficial inguinal lymph node dissection as staging procedures for clinically node negative high risk penile cancer

ObjectiveTo evaluate perioperative and oncologic outcomes of a cohort of clinically node negative high-risk penile cancer patients undergoing robotic assisted inguinal lymph node dissection (RAIL) compared to patients undergoing open superficial inguinal lymph node dissection (OSILND). Patients and methodsWe retrospectively reviewed the clinical characteristics and outcomes of clinically node negative high-risk penile cancer patients undergoing RAIL at MDACC from 2013-2019. We sought to compare this to a contemporary open cohort of clinically node negative patients treated from 1999 to 2019 at MDACC and Moffit Cancer Center (MCC) with an OSILND. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the study cohorts. Comparison analysis between operative variables was performed using Fisher's exact test and Wilcoxon's rank-sum test. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate survival endpoints. ResultsThere were 24 patients in the RAIL cohort, and 35 in the OSILND cohort. Among the surgical variables, operative time (348.5 minutes vs. 239.0 minutes, P < 0.01) and the duration of operative drain (37 vs. 22 days P = 0.017) were both significantly longer in the RAIL cohort. Complication incidences were similar for both cohorts (34.3% for OSILND vs. 33.3% for RAIL), with wound complications making up 33% of all complications for RAIL and 31% of complications for OSILND. No inguinal recurrences were noted in either cohort. The median follow-up was 40 months for RAIL and 33 months for OSILND. ConclusionsWe observed similar complication rates and surgical variable outcomes in our analysis apart from operative time and operative drain duration. Oncological outcomes were similar between the two cohorts. RAIL was a reliable staging and potentially therapeutic procedure among clinically node negative patients with penile squamous cell carcinoma with comparable outcomes to an OSILND cohort.

Near-infrared fluorescence-assisted superficial inguinal lymph-node excision for low-risk penile cancer.

Identification of superficial inguinal lymph nodes during low-risk penile cancer surgery using near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence to improve the accuracy of lymph-node dissection and reduce the incidence of missed micrometastases and complications. Thirty-two cases were selected, which were under the criteria of < T1, and no lymph-node metastasis was found with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) detection. Two groups were randomly divided based on the fluorescence technique, the indocyanine green (ICG) group and the non-ICG group. In the ICG group, the ICG preparation was subcutaneously injected into the edge of the penile tumor 10min before surgery, and the near-infrared fluorescence imager was used for observation. After the lymph nodes were visualized, the superficial inguinal lymph nodes were removed first, and then, the penis surgery was performed. The non-ICG group underwent superficial inguinal lymph-node dissection and penile surgery. Among the 16 patients in the ICG group, we obtained 11 lymph-node specimens using grayscale values of images (4.13 ± 0.72 vs. 3.00 ± 0.82 P = 0.003) along with shorter postoperative healing time (7.31 ± 1.08 vs. 8.88 ± 2.43 P = 0.025), and less lymphatic leakage (0 vs. 5 P = 0.04) than the 16 patients in the non-ICG group. Out of 11, 3 lymph nodes that are excised were further grouped into fluorescent and non-fluorescent regions (G1/G2) and found to be metastasized. Near-infrared fluorescence-assisted superficial inguinal lymph-node dissection in penile carcinoma is accurate and effective, and could reduce surgical complications.

Preoperative Albumin-to-Alkaline Phosphatase Ratio as an Independent Predictor of Lymph Node Involvement in Penile Cancer.

Background and Objectives: To investigate the role of preoperative albumin-to-alkaline phosphatase ratio (AAPR) in predicting pathologic node-positive (pN+) disease in penile cancer (PC) patients undergoing inguinal lymph node dissection (ILND). Materials and Methods: Clinical data of patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) PC + ILND at a single high-volume institution between 2016 and 2021 were collected and retrospectively analyzed. An AAPR was obtained from preoperative blood analyses performed within 30 days from their scheduled surgery. A ROC curve analysis was used to assess AAPR cutoff, in addition to the Youden Index. Logistic regression analysis was utilized for an odds ratio (OR), 95% confidence interval (CI) calculations, and an estimate of pN+ disease. A p value < 0.05 was considered to be as statistically significant. Results: Overall, 42 PC patients were included in the study, with a mean age of 63.6 ± 12.9 years. The AAPR cut-off point value was determined to be 0.53. The ROC curve analysis reported an AUC of 0.698. On multivariable logistic regression analysis lymphovascular invasion (OR = 5.38; 95% CI: 1.47-9.93, p = 0.022), clinical node-positive disease (OR = 13.68; 95% CI: 4.37-43.90, p < 0.009), and albumin-to-alkaline phosphatase ratio ≤ 0.53 (OR = 3.61; 95% CI: 1.23-12.71, p = 0.032) were predictors of pN+ involvement. Conclusions: Preoperative AAPR may be a potentially valuable prognostic marker of pN+ disease in patients who underwent surgery for PC.