A study protocol for a feasibility randomised controlled trial investigating videoendoscopic radical inguinal lymphadenectomy versus open radical inguinal lymphadenectomy in patients with penile cancer (VELRAD).

BACKGROUND: Penile cancer is a rare male genital malignancy. Surgical excision of the primary tumour is followed by radical inguinal lymphadenectomy if there is metastatic disease detected by biopsy, fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) or following sentinel lymph node biopsy in patients with impalpable disease. However, radical inguinal lymphadenectomy is associated with a high morbidity rate, and there is increasing usage of a videoendoscopic approach as an alternative. METHODS: A pragmatic, UK-wide multicentre feasibility randomised controlled trial (RCT), comparing videoendoscopic radical inguinal lymphadenectomy versus open radical inguinal lymphadenectomy. Patients will be identified and recruited from supraregional multi-disciplinary team meetings (sMDT) and must be aged 18 or over requiring inguinal lymphadenectomy, with no contraindications to surgical intervention for their cancer. Participants will be followed up for 6 months following randomisation. The primary outcome is the ability to recruit patients for randomisation across all selected sites and the rate of loss to follow-up. Other outcomes include acceptability of the trial and intervention to patients and healthcare professionals assessed by qualitative research and obtaining resource utilisation information for health economic analysis. DISCUSSION: There are currently no other published RCTs comparing videoendoscopic versus open radical inguinal lymphadenectomy. Ongoing study is required to determine whether randomising patients to either procedure is feasible and acceptable to patients. The results of this study may determine the design of a subsequent trial. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov PRS registry, registration number NCT05592639. Date of registration: 13th October 2022, retrospectively registered.

New EAU/ASCO guideline recommendations on sentinel node biopsy for penile cancer and remaining challenges from a nuclear medicine perspective.

INTRODUCTION: The European Association of Urology (EAU) and the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) recently issued updated guidelines on penile cancer, emphasising dynamic sentinel node biopsy (DSNB) as the preferred method for surgical staging among patients with invasive penile tumours and no palpable inguinal lymphadenopathy. This paper outlines the rationale behind this new recommendation and describes remaining challenges, as well as strategies for promoting DSNB worldwide. MAIN TEXT: DSNB offers high diagnostic accuracy with the lowest postoperative complications compared to open or minimally invasive inguinal lymph node dissection (ILND), prompting its preference in the new guidelines. Nevertheless, despite its advantages, there are challenges hampering the widespread adoption of DSNB. This includes the false-negative rate associated with DSNB and the potential negative impact on patient outcome. To address this issue, improvements should be made in several areas, including refining the timing and interpretation of the lymphoscintigraphy and the single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography images. In addition, the quantity of tracer employed and choice of the injection site for the radiopharmaceutical should be optimised. Finally, limiting the removal of nodes without tracer activity during surgery may help minimise complication rates. CONCLUSION: Over the years, DSNB has evolved significantly, related to the dedicated efforts and innovations in nuclear medicine and subsequent clinical studies validating its efficacy. It is now strongly recommended for surgical staging among selected penile cancer patients. To optimise DSNB further, multidisciplinary collaborative research is required to improve SN identification for better diagnostic accuracy and fewer complications.

Management of Lymph Node-positive Penile Cancer: A Systematic Review.

CONTEXT: Lymph node (LN) involvement in penile cancer is associated with poor survival. Early diagnosis and management significantly impact survival, with multimodal treatment approaches often considered in advanced disease. OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical effectiveness of treatment options available for the management of inguinal and pelvic lymphadenopathy in men with penile cancer. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: EMBASE, MEDLINE, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and other databases were searched from 1990 to July 2022. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs), nonrandomised comparative studies (NRCSs), and case series (CSs) were included. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: We identified 107 studies, involving 9582 patients from two RCTs, 28 NRCSs, and 77 CSs. The quality of evidence is considered poor. Surgery is the mainstay of LN disease management, with early inguinal LN dissection (ILND) associated with better outcomes. Videoendoscopic ILND may offer comparable survival outcomes to open ILND with lower wound-related morbidity. Ipsilateral pelvic LN dissection (PLND) in N2-3 cases improves overall survival in comparison to no pelvic surgery. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy in N2-3 disease showed a pathological complete response rate of 13% and an objective response rate of 51%. Adjuvant radiotherapy may benefit pN2-3 but not pN1 disease. Adjuvant chemoradiotherapy may provide a small survival benefit in N3 disease. Adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy improve outcomes after PLND for pelvic LN metastases. CONCLUSIONS: Early LND improves survival in nodal disease in penile cancer. Multimodal treatments may provide additional benefit in pN2-3 cases; however, data are limited. Therefore, individualised management of patients with nodal disease should be discussed in a multidisciplinary team setting. PATIENT SUMMARY: Spread of penile cancer to the lymph nodes is best managed with surgery, which improves survival and has curative potential. Supplementary treatment, including the use of chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy, may further improve survival in advanced disease. Patients with penile cancer with lymph node involvement should be treated by a multidisciplinary team.

Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Minimally Invasive Procedures for Surgical Inguinal Nodal Staging in Penile Carcinoma.

CONTEXT: There are several procedures for surgical nodal staging in clinically node-negative (cN0) penile carcinoma. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy, perioperative outcomes, and complications of minimally invasive surgical procedures for nodal staging in penile carcinoma. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: A systematic review of the Medline, Embase, and Cochrane controlled trials databases and ClinicalTrials.gov was conducted. Published and ongoing studies reporting on the management of cN0 penile cancer were included without any design restriction. Outcomes included the false negative (FN) rate, the number of nodes removed, surgical time, and postoperative complications. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Forty-one studies were eligible for inclusion. Four studies comparing robot-assisted (RA-VEIL) and video-endoscopic inguinal lymphadenectomy (VEIL) to open inguinal lymph node dissection (ILND) were suitable for meta-analysis. A descriptive synthesis was performed for single-arm studies on modified open ILND, dynamic sentinel node biopsy (DSNB) with and without preoperative inguinal ultrasound (US), and fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC). DSNB with US + FNAC had lower FN rates (3.5-22% vs 0-42.9%) and complication rates (Clavien Dindo grade I-II: 1.1-20% vs 2.9-11.9%; grade III-V: 0-6.8% vs 0-9.4%) in comparison to DSNB alone. Favourable results were observed for VEIL/RA-VEIL over open ILND in terms of major complications (2-10.6% vs 6.9-40.6%; odds ratio [OR] 0.18; p < 0.01). Overall, VEIL/RA-VEIL had lower wound-related complication rates (OR 0.14; p < 0.01), including wound infections (OR 0.229; p < 0.01) and skin necrosis (OR 0.16; p < 0.01). The incidence of lymphatic complications varied between 20.6% and 49%. CONCLUSIONS: Of all the surgical staging options, DSNB with inguinal US + FNAC had the lowest complication rates and high diagnostic accuracy, especially when performed in high-volume centres. If DSNB is not available, favourable results were also found for VEIL/RA-VEIL over open ILND. Lymphatic-related complications were comparable across open and video-endoscopic ILND. PATIENT SUMMARY: We reviewed studies on different surgical approaches for assessing lymph node involvement in cases with penile cancer. The results show that a technique called dynamic sentinel node biopsy with ultrasound guidance and fine-needle sampling has high diagnostic accuracy and low complication rates. For lymph node dissection in penile cancer cases, a minimally invasive approach may offer favourable postoperative outcomes.

Corporal Skip Metastases in Penile Squamous Cell Carcinoma: An Unknown and Distinct Pattern of Spread with Poor Prognosis.

BACKGROUND: Penile squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC) is characterised by stepwise lymphatic dissemination. Skip metastases (SkMs) are rare metastases in the corpus cavernosum or spongiosum without continuity to the primary tumour or its resection site. OBJECTIVE: To assess the distinct pattern of spread in SkM+ patients and the effect of SkM on prognosis. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients with SkM+ PSCC at ten high-volume international referral centres between January 2006 and May 2022. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: We evaluated histopathological data, primary lymph node (LN) staging, and metastatic spread. We included a cohort of patients matched for pT stage, LN status, and grade who did not have SkM (SkM-) to compare the SkM prognosis and predictive value for cancer-specific mortality (CSM). RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Among the 63 SkM+ patients who met our inclusion criteria, the SkM diagnosis was synchronous in 54.0% and metastases were mostly located in the corpus cavernosum. SkM was symptomatic in 14% of cases, was detected on imaging in 32%, and was found incidentally on pathological examination in 27%. Fifty-one patients (81%) presented with positive LNs and 28 (44%) developed distant metastases. Seven patients (11%) presented with or developed distant metastasis without displaying any LN involvement. The 2-yr cancer-specific survival estimates were 36% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25-52%) for SkM+ and 66% (95% CI 55-80%) for matched SkM- patients (p < 0.001). On multivariable Cox regression analysis, SkM presence was an independent predictor for higher CSM (hazard ratio 2.05, 95% CI 1.06-4,12; p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: PSCC-related SkM is associated with aggressive disease behaviour and poor survival outcomes. Palpation of the entire penile shaft is essential, and distant staging is recommended in patients suspected of having SkM owing to the tendency for distant metastatic spread. PATIENT SUMMARY: We investigated outcomes for patients with cancer of the penis who had metastases in the tissues responsible for erection. We found that metastases in this location were associated with poor prognosis, even in the absence of more typical spread of cancer via the lymph nodes.

Risk of Local Recurrence in Men With Penile Intraepithelial Neoplasia in the Surgical Margin After Penile-sparing Surgery.

PURPOSE: Up to 90% of men with a positive surgical margin show remaining cancer in subsequent reresections. The risk of local recurrence in men with no penile cancer but the precancerous lesion penile intraepithelial neoplasia at the surgical margin is less well studied and was the aim of this analysis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of men with distal penile cancer undergoing penile-sparing surgery. A competing risks survival analysis adjusted for grade, lymphovascular invasion, and stage was performed to assess local recurrence-free survival in patients with penile intraepithelial neoplasia-positive margins and completely negative surgical margins. RESULTS: A negative surgical margin was described in 319 men (85%), whereas penile intraepithelial neoplasia in the surgical margin was found in 59 men (15%). Local recurrence was observed in 30/319 men with a negative surgical margin compared to 11/59 men with penile intraepithelial neoplasia in the surgical margin. Adjusted for T stage and grade, patients with penile intraepithelial neoplasia at the surgical margin had a higher risk to develop a local recurrence than those with a negative surgical margin without penile intraepithelial neoplasia (HR 1.51, 95% CI 1.07-2.12, P = .019). CONCLUSIONS: Men with a penile intraepithelial neoplasia-positive surgical margin have an increased risk to experience local recurrence compared to men with a negative surgical margin and should undergo closer surveillance and/or adjuvant treatment.

Outcomes following radical inguinal lymphadenectomy for penile cancer using a fascial-sparing surgical technique.

PURPOSE: To describe our surgical technique and report the oncological outcomes and complication rates using a fascial-sparing radical inguinal lymphadenectomy (RILND) technique for penile cancer patients with cN+ disease in the inguinal lymph nodes. METHODS: Over a 10-year period, 660 fascial-sparing RILND procedures were performed in 421 patients across two specialist penile cancer centres. The technique used a subinguinal incision with an ellipse of skin excised over any palpable nodes. Identification and preservation of the Scarpa's and Camper's fascia was the first step. All superficial inguinal nodes were removed en bloc under this fascial layer with preservation of the subcutaneous veins and fascia lata. The saphenous vein was spared where possible. Patient characteristics, oncologic outcomes and perioperative morbidity were retrospectively collected and analysed. Kaplan-Meier curves estimated the cancer-specific survival (CSS) functions after the procedure. RESULTS: Median (interquartile range, IQR) follow-up was 28 (14-90) months. A median (IQR) number of 8.0 (6.5-10.5) nodes were removed per groin. A total of 153 postoperative complications (36.1%) occurred, including 50 conservatively managed wound infections (11.9%), 21 cases of deep wound dehiscence (5.0%), 104 cases of lymphoedema (24.7%), 3 cases of deep vein thrombosis (0.7%), 1 case of pulmonary embolism (0.2%), and 1 case of postoperative sepsis (0.2%). The 3-year CSS was 86% (95%Confidence Interval [95% CI] 77-96), 83% (95% CI 72-92), 58% (95% CI 51-66), respectively, for the pN1, pN2 and pN3 patients (p < 0.001), compared to a 3-year CSS of 87% (95% CI 84-95) for the pN0 patients. CONCLUSION: Fascial-sparing RILND offers excellent oncological outcomes whilst decreasing the morbidity rates. Patients with more advanced nodal involvement had poorer survival rates, emphasizing the need for adjuvant chemo-radiotherapy.

European Association of Urology-American Society of Clinical Oncology Collaborative Guideline on Penile Cancer: 2023 Update.

CONTEXT: Penile cancer is a rare disease but has a significant impact on quality of life. Its incidence is increasing, so it is important to include new and relevant evidence in clinical practice guidelines. OBJECTIVE: To provide a collaborative guideline that offers worldwide physician and patient guidance for the management of penile cancer. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: Comprehensive literature searches were performed for each section topic. In addition, three systematic reviews were conducted. Levels of evidence were assessed, and a strength rating for each recommendation was assigned according to the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) methodology. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Penile cancer is a rare disease but its global incidence is increasing. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the main risk factor for penile cancer and pathology should include an assessment of HPV status. The main aim of primary tumour treatment is complete tumour eradication, which has to be balanced against optimal organ preservation without compromising oncological control. Early detection and treatment of lymph node (LN) metastasis is the main determinant of survival. Surgical LN staging with sentinel node biopsy is recommended for patients with a high-risk (≥pT1b) tumour with cN0 status. While (inguinal) LN dissection remains the standard for node-positive disease, multimodal treatment is needed in patients with advanced disease. Owing to a lack of controlled trials and large series, the levels of evidence and grades of recommendation are low in comparison to those for more common diseases. CONCLUSIONS: This collaborative penile cancer guideline provides updated information on the diagnosis and treatment of penile cancer for use in clinical practice. Organ-preserving surgery should be offered for treatment of the primary tumour when feasible. Adequate and timely LN management remains a challenge, especially in advanced disease stages. Referral to centres of expertise is recommended. PATIENT SUMMARY: Penile cancer is a rare disease that significantly impacts quality of life. While the disease can be cured in most cases without lymph node involvement, management of advanced disease remains challenging. Many unmet needs and unanswered questions remain, underlining the importance of research collaborations and centralisation of penile cancer services.

Videoendoscopic Inguinal Lymphadenectomy Versus Radical Open Dissection (VELRAD) in Patients with Male Genital Cancer: A Clinical Trial Update.

VELRAD is the first multicentre feasibility randomised controlled trial comparing videoendoscopic radical inguinal lymphadenectomy versus open dissection for male genital cancer. We have randomised nine patients so far in our attempt to identify the best approach to inguinal lymph node dissection.

A BURST-BAUS consensus document for best practice in the conduct of scrotal exploration for suspected testicular torsion: the Finding consensus for orchIdopeXy In Torsion (FIX-IT) study.

OBJECTIVES: To produce a best practice consensus guideline for the conduct of scrotal exploration for suspected testicular torsion using formal consensus methodology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A panel of 16 expert urologists, representing adult, paediatric, general, and andrological urology used the RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Consensus Methodology to score a 184 statement pre-meeting questionnaire on the conduct of scrotal exploration for suspected testicular torsion. The collated responses were presented at a face-to-face online meeting and each item was rescored anonymously after a group discussion, facilitated by an independent chair with expertise in consensus methodology. Items were scored for agreement and consensus and the items scored with consensus were used to derive a set of best practice guidelines. RESULTS: Statements scored as with consensus increased from Round 1 (122/184, 66.3%) to Round 2 (149/200, 74.5%). Recommendations were generated in ten categories: consent, assessment under anaesthetic, initial incision, intraoperative decision making, fixation, medical photography, closure, operation note, logistics and follow-up after scrotal exploration. Our statements assume that the decision to operate has already been made. Key recommendations in the consent process included the discussion of the possibility of orchidectomy and the possibility of subsequent infection of the affected testis or wound requiring antibiotic therapy. If after the examination under anaesthesia, the index of suspicion of testicular torsion is lower than previously thought, then the surgeon should still proceed to scrotal exploration as planned. A flow chart guiding decision making dependent on intraoperative findings has been designed. If no torsion is present on exploration and the bell clapper deformity is absent, the testis should not be fixed. When fixing a testis using sutures, 3 or 4-point is acceptable and non-absorbable sutures are preferred. CONCLUSIONS: We have produced consensus recommendations to inform best practice in the conduct of scrotal exploration for suspected testicular torsion.

What Is the Most Effective Management of the Primary Tumor in Men with Invasive Penile Cancer: A Systematic Review of the Available Treatment Options and Their Outcomes.

Context: The primary lesion in penile cancer is managed by surgery or radiation. Surgical options include penile-sparing surgery, amputative surgery, laser excision, and Moh's micrographic surgery. Radiation is applied as external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) and brachytherapy. The treatment aims to completely remove the primary lesion and preserve a sufficient functional penile stump. Objective: To assess whether the 5-yr recurrence-free rate and other outcomes, such as sexual function, quality of life, urination, and penile preserving length, vary between various treatment options. Evidence acquisition: The EMBASE, MEDLINE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL; Cochrane HTA, DARE, HEED), Google Scholar, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched for publications from 1990 through May 2021. Randomized controlled trials, nonrandomized comparative studies (NRCSs), and case series (CSs) were included. Evidence synthesis: The systematic review included 88 studies, involving 9578 men from 16 NRCSs and 72 CSs. The cumulative mean 5-yr recurrence-free rates were 82.0% for penile-sparing surgery, 83.9% for amputative surgery, 78.6% for brachytherapy, 55.2% for EBRT, 69.4% for lasers, and 88.2% for Moh's micrographic surgery, as reported from CSs, and 76.7% for penile-sparing surgery and 93.3% for amputative surgery, as reported from NRCSs. Penile surgery affects sexual function, but amputative surgery causes more appearance concerns. After brachytherapy, 25% of patients reported sexual dysfunction. Both penile-sparing surgery and amputative surgery affect all aspects of psychosocial well-being. Conclusions: Despite the poor quality of evidence, data suggest that penile-sparing surgery is not inferior to amputative surgery in terms of recurrence rates in selected patients. Based on the available information, however, broadly applicable recommendations cannot be made; appropriate patient selection accounts for the relative success of all the available methods. Patient summary: We reviewed the evidence of various techniques to treat penile tumor and assessed their effectiveness in oncologic control and their functional outcomes. Penile-sparing as well as amputative surgery is an effective treatment option, but amputative surgery has a negative impact on sexual function. Penile-sparing surgery and radiotherapy are associated with a higher risk of local recurrence, but preserve sexual function and quality of life better. Laser and Moh's micrographic surgery could be used for smaller lesions.

Lymphovascular and perineural invasion are risk factors for inguinal lymph node metastases in men with T1G2 penile cancer.

PURPOSE: To analyse the risk of inguinal lymph node (ILN) metastases in T1G2 penile cancer stratified by lymphovascular invasion (LVI), perineural invasion (PNI) and tumour size. METHODS: Retrospective study of men with localised T1G2 penile cancer with non-palpable lymph nodes and no local recurrence during follow-up at six European institutional high-volume centres was performed. ILN involvement was defined as cancer detected during ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology, core needle biopsy, dynamic sentinel lymph node biopsy, ILN dissection or inguinal recurrence during follow-up. Uni- and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: In the cohort of 554 men with T1G2 penile cancer, from 6 European institutions, ILN metastases were observed in 46/554 men (8%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 6-11%). Men with both, LVI- and PNI- primary cancers had the lowest risk of ILN involvement (6%) whereas men with LVI + or PNI + showed ILN metastases in 22% and 30%. In multivariable regression, men with LVI + or PNI + had higher odds for ILN metastases compared to men with LVI- and PNI- (OR 3.9, 95% CI 1.6-9.0, p value < 0.01) Tumour size was not associated with ILN risk (OR 1.01 95% CI 0.99-1.04, p = 0.17). CONCLUSION: Approximately, one out of ten men with T1G2 overall and one out of four men with either LVI + or PNI + still have ILN metastases despite being clinically node negative. Therefore, invasive ILN staging should strongly be recommended in T1G2 with LVI + or PNI + but importantly, must be discussed in patients with T1G2 with LVI- or PNI-.

High diagnostic accuracy of inguinal ultrasonography and fine-needle aspiration followed by dynamic sentinel lymph node biopsy in men with impalpable and palpable inguinal lymph nodes.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the accuracy of dynamic sentinel lymph node biopsy (DSNB) after negative ultrasonography (US) guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA) for inguinal lymph node (ILN) staging. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of men with ≥T1G2 penile cancer and negative inguinal US-guided FNA undergoing DSNB. Men with suspicious US but negative FNA underwent US-guided ILN excision. Men with ≥T1G2 local recurrence during follow-up and non-squamous cell histologies were excluded. Descriptive analysis was performed, and sensitivity and negative predictive values (NPVs) were calculated. RESULTS: We included 403 men with 728 groins with negative FNA undergoing DSNB ± US-guided LN excision. At least one sentinel LN (SN) was visualised in 93% during the first and in 7% during the second lymphoscintigraphy. The median SNs visualised preoperatively was 1 SN and a median of 2 LNs were resected. ILN metastases were detected in 9% groins in men with impalpable and in 17% men with palpable LNs. Stratified by impalpable and palpable ILN, non-local recurrence despite pathologically negative DSNBs was seen in 0.5% and 0%, respectively. Limited to men with ≥24 months follow-up, non-local recurrence after negative DSNBs was seen in 0.4% and 0%, respectively. The sensitivity of DSNB was 96% and the NPV was 100%. The main limitation of this analysis is its retrospective nature with inherit biases. CONCLUSIONS: Inguinal US and FNA followed by DSNB can accurately stage men with both impalpable and palpable ILN, which provides logistical and surgical advantages.

Treatment Options and Outcomes for Men with Penile Intraepithelial Neoplasia: A Systematic Review.

Penile intraepithelial neoplasia (PeIN) is a rare skin condition with potential to progress to invasive penile cancer. We performed a systematic review of treatment options and outcomes for PeIN. Topical agents showed response and recurrence rates of 40-100% and 20% for imiquimod, and 48-74% and 11% for 5-fluorouracil, respectively. Discontinuation of topical agents because of side effects was observed in 12% of cases. Response rates for laser therapies were 52-100%, with recurrence in 7-48% of cases and a change in penile sensitivity in 50%. Circumcision cleared preputial PeIN. Rates of recurrence after surgical treatment of glans PeIN were 25% for wide local excision, 4% for Mohs surgery, 5% for total glans resurfacing, and 10% for glansectomy. There are limited data on factors predictive of treatment response and on sequencing of treatment options. PATIENT SUMMARY: Several treatment options are available for men with precancerous lesions of the foreskin or glans. Close follow-up is necessary as lesions can recur or progress to invasive penile cancer.

Saphenous-sparing Ascending Video Endoscopic Inguinal Lymph Node Dissection Using a Leg Approach: Surgical Technique and Perioperative and Pathological Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Open inguinal lymph node dissection (oILND) has high morbidity. Ascending saphenous-sparing video endoscopic ILND (VEILND-AS+) represents a minimally invasive alternative with potential benefits. OBJECTIVE: To describe our VEILND-AS+ technique and compare outcomes to oILND. DESIGN SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: This was a retrospective cohort study of penile cancer patients. SURGICAL PROCEDURE: VEILND-AS+ was performed according to the technique described in the supplementary video. MEASUREMENTS: We compared perioperative and pathological outcomes between the two procedures. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: In the study cohort of 206 men we performed 40 VEILND-AS+ and 251 oILND procedures. In comparison to oILND, VEILND-AS+ had a longer operation time (185 vs 120 min; p < 0.01) but a shorter hospital stay (2 vs 4 d; p < 0.01). A median of eight resected lymph nodes with a median of one affected node per groin was observed in both groups. Extranodal extension was found in 30% of cases after VEILND-AS+ and 35% after oILND. In both groups the median drainage time was 13 d. Wound infections were observed in 38% of cases after VEILND-AS+ and 27% after oILND (p = 0.19). Skin necrosis or wound breakdown occurred in 0% and 6% of cases after VEILND-AS+ and oILND (p < 0.01), while lymphoceles were drained in 18% and 7% of cases, respectively(p = 0.03). Following VEILND-AS+ and oILND, 20% and 14% of patients, respectively, were referred to a lymph oedema clinic (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: VEILND-AS+ is a safe procedure and offers shorter hospital stays and possibly a lower risk of skin necrosis and wound breakdown in comparison to oILND. Further improvements in the VEILND-AS+ technique are required to reduce complications associated with dead space and injury to lymphatic vessels. PATIENT SUMMARY: For patients undergoing surgery on lymph nodes in the groin, a minimally invasive approach instead of open surgery led to discharge 2 days earlier and may have lower rates of severe wound complications.

Clinicopathological predictors of finding additional inguinal lymph node metastases in penile cancer patients after positive dynamic sentinel node biopsy: a European multicentre evaluation.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a predictive model for additional inguinal lymph node metastases (LNM) at inguinal lymph node dissection (ILND) after positive dynamic sentinel node biopsy (DSNB) using DSNB characteristics to identify a patient group in which ILND might be omitted. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of 407 inguinal basins with a positive DSNB in penile cancer patients who underwent subsequent ILND from seven European centres. From the histopathology reports, the number of positive and negative lymph nodes, presence of extranodal extension and size of the metastasis were recorded. Using bootstrapped logistic regression, variables were selected for the clinical prediction model based on the optimization of Akaike's information criterion. The area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver-operating characteristic curve was calculated for the resulting model. Decision curve analysis (DCA) was used to evaluate the clinical utility of the model. RESULTS: Of the positive DSNBs, 64 (16%) harboured additional LNM at ILND. Number of positive nodes at positive DSNB (odds ratio [OR] 2.19, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.17-4.00; P = 0.01) and largest metastasis size in mm (OR 1.06, 95% CI 1.03-1.10; P = 0.001) were selected for the clinical prediction model. The AUC was 0.67 (95% CI 0.60-0.74). The DCA showed no clinical benefit of using the clinical prediction model. CONCLUSION: A small but clinically important group of basins harbour additional LNM at completion ILND after positive DSNB. While DSNB characteristics were associated with additional LNM, they did not improve the selection of basins in which ILND could be omitted. Thus, completion ILND remains necessary in all basins with a positive DSNB.

Practice Patterns Among Penile Cancer Surgeons Performing Dynamic Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy and Radical Inguinal Lymph Node Dissection in Men with Penile Cancer: A eUROGEN Survey.

Dynamic sentinel lymph node biopsy (DSNB) and radical inguinal lymph node dissection (ILND) are important in the management of penile cancer patients, but high-level evidence for preoperative, perioperative, and postoperative management remains scarce. According to an online survey of 35 surgeons from ten European countries, 57% perform >10 ILND procedures per year and 86% offer DSNB. Furthermore, management differs substantially for dye injection site, use of lymphoscintigraphy, preferred incision sites, techniques for lymphatic control, duration of empiric antibiotic therapy, perioperative thromboprophylaxis, time points for drain removal, and definition of the ILND dissection floor. Consensus was observed for the use of perioperative antibiotics (although not duration and type) and the borders for ILND template definitions. We conclude that there is significant variation in patient management among eUROGEN penile cancer surgeons. This heterogeneity may confound multicentre studies; therefore, a consensus to standardise inguinal node management in penile cancer across European penile cancer centres is warranted. PATIENT SUMMARY: Our survey reveals that preferences and surgical techniques for inguinal lymph node sampling and removal varies significantly between European penile cancer surgeons. Consensus is needed to standardise the management approach for penile cancer.

The Use of Penile Traction Devices for Peyronie's Disease: Position Statements from the European Society for Sexual Medicine.

INTRODUCTION: Penile traction therapy (PTT) aims to non-surgically reduce curvature, enhance girth, and recover lost length. Available clinical practice guidelines however lack clear recommendations regarding their use. AIM: To present a comprehensive review and recommendation regarding the available evidence to the use of PTT in Peyronie's disease (PD). METHODS: A systematic literature search was performed on Pubmed and Medline for relevant studies from all times until 2019. Studies of PTT (monotherapy and in combination) in patients with PD with any documented degree of curvature and in either the acute or chronic phase of the disease were included. Full texts not published in English language were excluded. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: Several scenarios, including preclinical data have been investigated. For each topic covered evidence was analyzed and expert opinion was stated. RESULTS: The paucity of high-level studies precluded any strong recommendations, however, specific statements on this topic, summarizing the ESSM position, were provided. The available data about the use of PTT in PD are still poor, and the impact of this therapy for the treatment of PD has not been clearly stablished. Available data in the clinical setting are still poor, and the impact of these devices on PD evolution has not been clearly established. CONCLUSION: PTT seems to be a valid treatment option for PD, although there is not enough evidence to give any definitive recommendation in any clinical scenario. García-Gómez B, Aversa A, Alonso-Isa M et al. The Use of Penile Traction Devices for Peyronie's Disease: Position Statements from the European Society for Sexual Medicine. Sex Med 2021;9:100387.

Radical Hemiscrotectomy and En Bloc Orchidectomy: Surgical Technique and Perioperative and Oncologic Outcomes of a Supra-Regional UK Referral Centre.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Hemiscrotectomy with en bloc orchidectomy represents a radical primary, completion, or salvage option in men with inguinoscrotal cancers. We describe our surgical technique and peri-operative and oncological outcomes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of 16 men treated at a supra-regional referral centre with open radical hemiscrotectomy with or without en bloc orchidectomy between 2010 and 2020. Peri-operative and survival outcomes were analysed. RESULTS: Radical hemiscrotectomy with or without en bloc orchidectomy was performed on 16 patients comprising 7 well-differentiated liposarcomas, 4 dedifferentiated liposarcomas, 2 leiomyosarcomas, 1 mesothelioma, 1 rhabdomyosarcoma and 1 mammary type myofibroblastoma. Primary hemiscrotectomy was performed in four, completion hemiscrotectomy in nine and salvage hemiscrotectomy in three. The median hospital stay was 2 days [interquartile range (IQR) 2-4]. Four patients (25%) had post-operative complications including wound infection or haematoma. During a median follow-up of 18 months (IQR 2-66), one patient (6%) died following a recurrence in the pelvis and retroperitoneum. DISCUSSION: and Conclusions If careful dissection is performed, radical hemiscrotectomy and en bloc orchidectomy is a radical but safe procedure with a short hospital stay. Haematoma and infection represent the main complications, and within limited follow-up most men showed no recurrence.

Multidisciplinary Approach for the Management of Penoscrotal Extramammary Paget's disease -An eUROGEN study.

INTRODUCTION: We reviewed the medical and surgical management and long-term outcomes for patients diagnosed with penoscrotal extramammary Pagets disease (EMPD) within an eUROGEN centre. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective review of cases from an institutional database with biopsy proven penoscrotal EMPD. RESULTS: A total of 10 patients were identified with penoscrotal EMPD over a 10-year period. Two patients had a previous history of gastrointestinal and urogenital cancers (20%) and no synchronous or metachronous cancers were identified. Eight patients with non-invasive EMPD (80%) underwent wide local excision of the affected skin, with at least a 5mm macroscopic resection margin and in selected cases simultaneous multiple mapping biopsies around the lesion were performed. Residual disease was present at the margins in seven patients (87.5%), of which three required further surgical excision or adjuvant topical immunotherapy (42.8%). Recurrence after complete excision was 12.5% and was successfully treated with topical imiquimod immunotherapy and CO2 laser therapy. Two patients (20%) had invasive carcinoma and metastatic disease at diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Reported recurrence rates of non-invasive penoscrotal EMPD are high and residual disease is present in most cases requiring either close clinical surveillance or adjuvant treatment. We propose an algorithm in the management of this rare disease.