ABSTRACT

Objectives: The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence and clinicopathological correlates of penile cancer as well as the clinical outcomes in a sample of Jamaicans managed at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI).

Methods: All available records of patients diagnosed with penile cancer from 1998–2008 at the UHWI were obtained. Patient demographics, circumcision status, sexually transmitted infection status, lesion duration, location and size, and lymph node status were obtained. Histology, differentiation and stage were recorded. Information was obtained regarding treatment and outcome. The current data were compared with a previous report from UHWI in 1959.

Results: The records of 22 of 26 patients with penile cancer were available for review. Mean (SD) age of patients was 68 (13) years. Eighteen (86%) patients were uncircumcised. Mean tumour size was 5.7 (2.6) cm; 8 (36%) lesions involved the entire penis. Sixteen (73%) lesions had clinically regional disease and 11 (52%) patients had advanced pathological stage. Surgical treatment was performed in 15 (68%) patients. Case fatality was 38%, with median survival following surgical intervention of 38 person-months. The major predictor of death in this series was increasing age (HR = 1.06, 95% CI 0.99, 1.1, p = 0.079). There was an increase in age and clinical stage of the cancer at presentation in the current series; however, there was no difference in survival.

Conclusion: Penile cancer is an uncommon cancer, seen at an advanced stage in Jamaicans. Overall survival is poor and advanced age is a major predictor of death.