Total Glans Resurfacing for the Management of Superficial Penile Cancer: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis in a Tertiary Referral Center

OBJECTIVES: To report surgical and oncological outcomes of total glans resurfacing in a consecutive series of superficial penile cancers. DESIGN, SETTINGS AND PARTECIPANTS: 26 patients were enrolled in the present trial. A retrospective analysis was conducted. Inclusion criteria were age < 80, “de novo” malignancy, clinically suspected superficial disease and disease confirmation by a penile biopsy. Clinically palpable corporeal or urethral involvement, high histological grade, clinically palpable nodes on physical examination and unwillingness to comply with follow-up were considered as exclusion criteria. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Descriptive features and surgical outcomes were extrapolated from the clinical records. The categorical variables were described using frequency and percentage, and the continuous variables were described using median and interquartile range (IQR) value. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to estimate survival over time. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Median follow-up was 38 (IQR 13-86) months. Median age was 65 (IQR 55-68). An history of lichen sclerosus was reported by 50% of patients. No intraoperative complications were reported. Median hospital stay was 5 (IQR 2-6) days. Final histology confirmed superficial disease in 42.4% and T1 in 53.8%. T2 was detected in a single case. Postoperative complications were minimal (3.8%). No regional nodal recurrence was reported. At Kaplan-Meier analysis, overall survival rate was 100% at 1 year, 1-year recurrence free survival was 96.1% and 2-year recurrence free survival was 88.5%. CONCLUSION: Total glans resurfacing may represent an excellent option for organ preserving surgery in patients with a superficial penile cancer. Surgical and oncological outcomes proved to be satisfactory.