Phallus preservation for urethral cancer: subcutaneous penectomy

Phallus Preservation for Locally Advanced Proximal Primary Urethral Carcinoma: Technique and Outcomes

INTRODUCTION

To describe a novel method of penile sparing perineal urethrectomy for locally advanced proximal primary urethral cancers (PUC).

TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS

In mid-2021, 2 cases underwent pelvic exenterative surgery for pT3 and pT4 PUC. The procedure comprised of a complete urethrectomy, proximal penectomy, en bloc pubectomy and excision of pelvic diaphragm in both cases. One case included a wide excision of scrotum, whilst the other required a prostatectomy and abdominoperineal resection of the rectum to achieve complete tumor resection. A complete R0 resection was achieved in both cases. At 6 months follow up, there is no evidence of ischemic necrosis of the penis and cosmesis is satisfactory to both patients. We provide a comprehensive operative description of both cases, together with illustrations, and discuss the underlying principles of penile preservation in the surgical treatment of locally advanced proximal PUC.

CONCLUSION

Complete perineal urethrectomy with phallic preservation is feasible in men with locally advanced proximal bulbar urethral cancer in the absence of tumor invasion of the penile shaft. The remnant penis survives off arterial supply from the superficial penile arteries arising from the external pudendal arteries. Phallic preservation may benefit patient's psychological quality of life post-procedure.

Transperineal-incision urethrectomy combined with laparoscopic prostatectomy for a male patient with squamous cell carcinoma involving distal plus proximal urethra and untypical symptoms-a case report

Primary urethral carcinoma (PUC) is a rare malignancy, covering less than 1% of all genitourinary cancers. Different tumor location, classified as tumor in distal or proximal urethra, represents different characteristics and often leads to different treatment modality. However, data on the surgical approach for PUC involving both distal and proximal urethra remains rare. In this case, we presented a 75-year-old man with untypical symptoms of perineal mass and unspecific frequent and painful urination. Results of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mp-MRI), positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) scan, and percutaneous biopsy revealed a cT2N1M0 PUC involving both distal and proximal urethra. Given the request of patients for a normal penile appearance after surgery, a transperineal-incision urethrectomy combined with laparoscopic prostatectomy and iliac lymphadenectomy was performed with optimal outcomes. The results of histopathological analysis revealed a moderately-high differentiated PUC with no positive lymph node. Post-operative recovery was uneventful. On first visit 1-month after surgery, physical examination revealed a satisfactory wound healing and appearance of penis and no recurrent lesions were found on mp-MRI. This is a rare case with untypical symptoms indicating that patients with PUC involving both distal and proximal urethra may present with no symptoms of urethral stricture but only non-specific lower urinary symptoms. The surgical approach we proposed in this case proves to be a safe and feasible one to completely resect the tumor and preserve a normal appearance of penis, thus worth to be applied in the specific patient population.

Penile-preserving surgery for male distal urethral carcinoma followed by buccal mucosa urethroplasty

Introduction

We report a case of distal urethral carcinoma treated with segmental urethral excision and reconstruction by staged buccal mucosa urethroplasty.

Case presentation

A 60‐year‐old man presented with difficulty urinating and a palpable mass on the ventral side of his penis. He was diagnosed as having localized distal urethral carcinoma (cT2N0M0) and underwent penile‐preserving surgery with staged urethroplasty using buccal mucosa as substitute tissue. The pathological diagnosis was squamous cell carcinoma of the urethra (T2) with negative surgical margin. At 2 years of follow‐up, there was no recurrence or metastasis, he could void in a standing position with an acceptable urinary stream, and he found the appearance of his external genitalia acceptable.

Conclusion

In cases of distal primary urethral carcinoma, urethroplasty using buccal mucosa graft could be alternative treatment option providing a better postoperative quality of life.

The contemporary management of primary urethral carcinoma

Primary urethral cancer is a rare malignancy; the most common histological subtype is squamous cell carcinoma. The aetiology of this cancer is similar to penile cancer and the human papilloma virus (HPV) is thought to be an important factor in tumourigenesis. Surgery with or without chemoradiotherapy is the accepted treatment for primary urethral cancer. Current practice supports penile-sparing surgery, to maximise functional and psychological outcomes. We have reviewed the literature to summarise the pathogenesis and management of primary urethral cancer.

Penile-preserving surgery for male distal urethral carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate medium-term outcome data from patients with distal urethral cancers treated with penile-preserving surgery.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We analysed prospectively 18 consecutive men referred for the management of urethral carcinoma. All had a specialist review in a supra-regional multidisciplinary team meeting, where the histology findings were reviewed by one pathology consultant. Tumours were staged according to the Tumour-Node-Metastasis classification and the patients offered penile-preserving surgery when tumours were limited to the glanular or penile urethra.

RESULTS

All 18 patients were suitable for penile-preserving surgery; the procedures were: three hypospadias formation with or without topical chemotherapy; four buccal mucosa urethroplasty; three glansectomy and reconstruction; six glansectomy, distal corporectomy, reconstruction and hypospadias formation; two urethrectomy with or with no excision of adjacent tunica albuginea. The mean (median, range) follow-up was 26 (20.5, 9-58) months. There were no local recurrences; four patients with regional nodal disease progressed and of these, two died from metastatic disease, and one died from an unrelated condition.

CONCLUSION

Medium-term data show that penile-preserving surgery is a feasible treatment for men with distal urethral carcinoma, providing excellent local control without prejudicing survival; a longer follow-up is needed.

Laparoscopic radical cystoprostatectomy and in block urethrectomy in urethral cancer: initial experience in 2 cases

We introduce laparoscopic radical cystoprostatectomy and in block urethrectomy as an option for the treatment of urethral cancer in men. Using a 5-port transperitoneal approach, a radical cystoprostatectomy is completed laparoscopically with bilateral iliac and pelvic lymphadenectomy. Urethrectomy and extraction of bladder and prostate is performed through a perineal incision. A segment of ileum is isolated and exteriorized to create an extracorporeal ileal conduit and restore ileo-ileal continuity by open standard technique. Bilateral stented uretero-ileal anastomosis is extracorporeally performed. Total operative time ranges from 4.5 to 4.8 hours. Laparoscopic radical cystoprostatectomy with perineal urethrectomy and an extracorporeally made ileal conduit is a feasible technique that can be reproduced. To our knowledge, this is the first report of laparoscopic radical surgery in the treatment of urethral cancer in men.