SUO 2016: Oral Abstract – Lymph node yield as a predictor of overall survival following regional lymphadenectomy for penile cancer - Session Highlights


San Antonio, Texas USA (UroToday.com) Data for defining optimal lymph node yield following inguinal lymphadenectomy for penile cancer are lacking. In this oral abstract session, the authors sought to determine whether lymph node yields in these patients are associated with overall survival and to define a minimum number of lymph nodes to retrieve.


The National Cancer Database (NCDB) was used to identify patients with penile squamous cell carcinoma who underwent regional lymphadenectomy from 2004-2013. A multivariable regression model was created to assess predictors of overall survival. Age, comorbidity, race, stage, grade, node status, and lymph node yield were included in the model. A total of 453 men met inclusion criteria. Median follow-up was 29.9 months and median number of lymph nodes retrieved was 16. Men with 15 or fewer lymph nodes removed demonstrated decreased 5-year overall survival compared to those with greater than 15 lymph nodes removed (73% vs. 50%, p < 0.05). Further, having had 15 or fewer lymph nodes removed was an independent predictor of worse overall survival (HR 0.61; 95% CI 0.44-0.85, p < 0.01). The authors concluded that lymph node yield is associated with overall survival in patients with penile cancer and proposed a quantitative threshold of greater than 15 lymph nodes to determine the adequacy of lymph node dissection in this setting.

Presented By: Chad Ritch, MD, MBA

Written By: Benjamin T. Ristau, MD, Society of Urologic Oncology Fellow, Fox Chase Cancer Center

17th Annual Meeting of the Society of Urologic Oncology - November 30 -December 2, 2016 – San Antonio, Texas USA