Abstract
Objective
This article will focus on the use of radiation therapy in the treatment of penile cancer as an alternative to full or partial penectomy. The use of brachytherapy as well as external beam radiation therapy will be covered.
Methods
Pertinent literature concerning radiation therapy techniques in the treatment of penile cancer will be reviewed.
Results
Local control and organ preservation rates with interstitial brachytherapy for penile cancer are in the range of 70–100 and 55–100 %, respectively. The use of external beam radiation therapy produces local control rates in the range of 50–70 % with penile preservation in the range of 55–66 %. The cause-specific survival ranges from 66 to 99 %.
Conclusion
Penile cancer is an uncommon cancer that has historically been treated with penectomy. Although penectomy provides a high local control rate, it is associated with significant psychosocial side effects. Radiation therapy in the form of brachytherapy or external beam therapy offers an organ-preserving treatment option with high rates of local control and penile preservation.
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M. Leann Smith, Juanita Crook, and Ozer Algan declare that they have no conflict of interest.
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Smith, M.L., Crook, J. & Algan, O. Radiation therapy for the management of penile cancer. J Radiat Oncol 5, 143–151 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13566-016-0247-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13566-016-0247-6