There have been few published case series of penile squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) removed with Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS). Of these case series, the published cure rates are between 68% and 74%.
To report 30 years of experience removing penile SCCs with MMS.
Retrospective record review of 42 patients with 44 penile SCCs.
There was one recurrence of the 19 primary SCCs in situ, resulting in a cure rate of 94.7%. There were no recurrences among the 10 primary invasive SCC. Of the 6 recurrent invasive SCCs, 2 recurred, resulting in an initial cure rate of 66.7%. These 2 recurrences were re-treated with MMS with no evidence of recurrence at 5 years. There were 4 patients with SCC in situ of the glans with extension down the urethra. While all 4 patients required urethral dilation postoperatively secondary to urethral stricture, none of these tumors recurred and normal function was restored in each case.
In conclusion, MMS may be preferred for patients with penile carcinoma by providing a high cure rate and tissue conservative alternative to partial or total penectomy and does not need to be limited to low-grade, small, superficial tumors.
Dermatologic surgery : official publication for American Society for Dermatologic Surgery [et al.]. 2016 Aug [Epub]
Mac Machan, David Brodland, John Zitelli
*Surgical Dermatology and Laser Center, Las Vegas, Nevada; †Zitelli & Brodland, PC, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.