Metastatic carcinoma of the penis

Penile Metastases Secondary to Bladder Cancer

“…Because the primary site of malignancy, whether in the bladder, prostate, rectum, or testis, is most frequently in the vicinity of the penis, it seemed reasonable for some authors to assume that direct spread or extension is the most common route [11]. In 12 out of 21 cases that were previously collected from the literature [7], direct exten sion was thought to explain the spread.…”

“…No symptoms were observed in 12% of the cases, the penile lesion being discovered on palpation or at autopsy. In 1 case, the penile nodule was the presenting symptom in a primary lung cancer [11],…”

“…The swelling and edema may sometimes obscure the metastatic mass and an incision and evacua tion of the corpora has to be performed before the métas tasés can be palpated [11], In a few cases, the penile métastasés cannot be inspected nor palpated because they involve only the urethral mucosa or submucosa. In this situation, the method of diagnosis is by endoscopy.…”

“…(5) Thrombosis of the corpora cavernosa or the deep veins of the penis was the prebiopsy diagnosis in 1 case [11].…”

“…Since then, only one previous review concen trated on penile metastases from primary bladder tumor, and that was in 1960 [9], The 1st case of penile metas tases ever reported originated in a rectal carcinoma and was published in 1870 by Eberth [26], Many tumors other than bladder cancer do sometimes metastasize to the penis (table II); the most frequent pri mary site, however, is the urinary bladder (73 cases), next in order of decreasing frequency comes the prostate (59 cases), followed by the rectum (28), the kidney (16). the testicle (11), the lungs (7), the nasopharynx (2) and the bones (2), with single cases reported from each of the following pri mary sites; ureter [12], colon, anus, liver, pancreas, tonsil. and skin melanoma [7], Some unusual and rare cases are listed in table III.…”