Iliac nodal metastases from carcinoma of the penis treated surgically.

Abstract

To evaluate survival in patients with metastatic iliac nodal involvement from carcinoma of the penis. Thirteen patients with metastases to the iliac nodes were selected from 68 with squamous cell carcinoma of the penis who had undergone amputation and bilateral ilio-inguinal lymphadenectomy. The 1978 Tumour-Nodes-Metastasis system was used for staging. Deep and superficial lymph nodes were removed during the inguinal procedure. Lymph nodes below the common iliac artery (external and obturator) were removed and histologically evaluated for the presence of metastases. The mean (median, range) follow-up was 55.5 (8. 8, 0.3-235) months, at the end of which five patients were free of cancer, seven had died from cancer or treatment-related complications and one was lost to follow-up. Four of the five survivors had metastases to only one iliac lymph node. Ilio-inguinal lymphadenectomy may have a significant role in increasing the survival of patients with metastases to only one iliac lymph node.