Background. Penile cancer patients with inoperable groin metastases as well as patients with residual or recurrent groin tumours after inguinal lymphadenectomy are frequently considered for radiation treatment.
Methods. A retrospective study of 12 patients with regionally advanced penile carcinoma treated with radiotherapy in the period 1995-2003 was done. Acute and chronic treatment-related complications were observed.
Results. All patients (8/8) with the tumours palpable at the beginning of radiotherapy and two patients (2/4) with microscopic post-lymphadenectomy tumour residue died from the disease. The death occurred 4-24 months after starting radiotherapy. Median survival was 8 months. Locoregional control could only be achieved in patients irradiated for microscopic post-lymphadenectomy tumour residue (4/4).
Conclusions. A timely and accurate diagnosis of regional disease spread and immediate lymphadenectomy are of vital importance. Radiotherapy should be applied soon after surgery as postoperative treatment of regional metastases that are at risk to recur - recurrences following lymphadenectomy could not be salvaged by radiotherapy.
