PENILE CANCER - IS LYMPHADENECTOMY NECESSARY IN ALL CASES

Objectives. This retrospective study examines the need for lymphadenec tomy in all cases of penile cancer. Methods. Thirty-six patients were followed up regularly by the same person between 1986 and 1992. Result s. Nine (25%) patients presented with positive groin lymph nodes and u nderwent immediate ilioinguinal node dissection. Of the 27 (75%) patie nts who presented with negative groin lymph nodes, 10 had a delayed ly mph node dissection. Four of these patients are alive at 3.7 years. Th ree died within 1 year of surgery and 3 are lost to follow-up. Sevente en patients (47%) did not require lymphadenectomy and 14 (82%) of thes e patients are alive at 3.8 years, the other 3 being lost to follow-up . Conclusions. A careful, closely monitored, follow-up protocol can el iminate the need for lymphadenectomy in select patients with penile ca ncer.