Role of laparoscopic pelvic lymph node dissection in the management of patients with penile cancer and inguinal adenopathy

Pelvic lymph node dissection alone versus adjuvant radiotherapy in node positive penile cancer: A systematic review

Introduction:

The management options for regional lymph nodes (LNs) in men with penile cancer include surveillance, surgery, and chemotherapy. The use of radiotherapy (RT) for nodal disease follows tradition and single-institution policies. We aimed to analyse the existing evidence regarding the management of penile cancer patients with suspected or known metastatic pelvic LNs using pelvic LN dissection (PLND) with RT versus PLND or RT alone.

Methods:

A systematic review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, with no filters for language or time. The search was conducted in EMBASE, MEDLINE/PubMed, and Cochrane Library. Inclusion criteria were adult men with penile cancer and suspected metastatic pelvic LNs, undergoing PLND with or without RT or RT alone. Primary outcomes included disease-specific survival and locoregional recurrence. Secondary outcomes included overall survival and complications of therapy.

Results:

A total of 552 articles were identified. Only eight retrospective studies were eligible for inclusion (including 406 patients). All studies had a high risk of bias. None of the studies reported the use of neoadjuvant RT. Indications for PLND varied but were usually two or more clinically positive inguinal nodes with or without extracapsular extension. Adjuvant RT was mainly used in positive pelvic LNs or pN2/pN3 stages. The rate of locoregional recurrence following adjuvant RT was 70%. Complications of treatment were reported in two studies only.

Conclusions:

There is insufficient evidence to recommend the use of adjuvant RT following PLND in penile cancer patients. The quality of evidence is low due to the retrospective design and high risk of bias. Randomized clinical trials are required to assess the efficacy and safety of adjuvant RT and PLND.

[Complications of laparoscopic urological procedures]

Laparoscopic urology has evolved considerably during last decade as well as number and spectrum of surgical related complications. Experiences reported by laparoscopic trained groups allow preventing, promptly recognizing, and safe and efficient management of the laparoscopic related complications. We present our complications in all patients undergoing urological laparoscopic procedures from November 1992 to June 2005. A literature search was conduced to evaluate complications of every laparoscopic procedure.

Critique of laparoscopic lymphadenectomy in genitourinary oncology

Regional lymphadenectomy is prognostic and selectively therapeutic in urologic oncology. The role of lymphadenectomy continues to be defined with the evolving multimodal management of genitourinary malignancies. Laparoscopy is playing a greater role in the management of genitourinary malignancies and thus, it is germane to critique the role of laparoscopic lymphadenectomy in the management of these tumors. Review of the literature suggests that laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy is feasible with nodal yields commensurate to those in open published series. Although laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for nonseminomatous germ cell tumor is feasible, the technique and efficacy of this procedure require further investigation.

Advanced penile carcinoma

PURPOSE

In the United States penile carcinoma is an uncommon malignancy that represents only 0.4% of all male malignancies and 2% to 4% of genitourinary malignancies. Of penile cancer cases 30% are diagnosed with advanced disease. Improved understanding of the natural history, appropriate and accurate staging, and tailored, less morbid lymphadenectomy have led to improved survival and decreased the adverse effects of therapy. However, the management of advanced penile carcinoma remains a challenge to urological, medical and radiation oncologists. The rarity and paucity of well designed clinical studies of medical and/or surgical therapy for advanced penile cancer have hampered progress in the treatment of this disease. However, there is clear evidence that identifies active chemotherapy and radiation treatments. This review aims to provide the treating physician with an overview of available data for surgical, chemotherapeutic and radiation treatments, and provide guidelines for appropriate patient selection for these therapies.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed a detailed review of the available literature regarding advanced penile carcinoma to include its etiology, epidemiology, natural history, staging classification and treatment.

RESULTS

Penile carcinoma typically spreads along an echelon of nodal pathways that permits fairly accurate staging. Prognosis correlates well with clinical nodal status and grade, and the TNM classification developed by the UICC should be uniformly used by clinicians. Treatment recommendations are tightly associated with disease stage. Although tailored lymphadenectomy as currently recommended has greatly decreased morbidity, improved staging accuracy and improved treatment results, controversies still exist regarding the need for lymphadenectomy in patients with impalpable lymph node (cN0) disease, and the role and timing of pelvic lymphadenectomy. There is evidence of modest activity for chemotherapy in advanced penile carcinoma. Active agents include cisplatin, bleomycin and methotrexate. Combination chemotherapy regimens with promising activity and toxicity profiles include cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil, and vincristine, bleomycin and methotrexate. Radiation in combination with surgery and/or chemotherapy in advanced disease have also demonstrated activity.

CONCLUSIONS

The natural history of penile carcinoma and its proclivity to spread via regional lymphatics has been well defined. This understanding has led to the development of effective locoregional treatment strategies. Penile carcinoma is sensitive to radiation and certain chemotherapeutic agents. A threshold volume of nodal metastases is associated with significant mortality. The optimal application of these strategies remains to be determined. Improvements in survival and quality of life likely require the incorporation of multiple modalities into the treatment of advanced penile carcinoma. A multi-institutional, international effort is essential to perform appropriately powered clinical trials to advance the standard of care in this rare disease.

Urologic complications of major pelvic surgery

The close proximity of pelvic organs makes the genitourinary system susceptible to injury during major pelvic surgery. Iatrogenic injury remains the most common cause of lower urinary tract trauma. Recent modifications in surgical technique, such as sharp mesorectal incision and nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy, have decreased the incidence of many of these complications. Genitourinary complications due to pelvic surgery remain common, however, and as new surgical advancements are made, new complications may present. An understanding of the prevention, recognition, and treatment of urologic complications is important for every surgeon performing major pelvic surgery.

Laparoscopy for diagnosis and staging of malignancy

The use of minimally invasive surgery for abdominal pathology, including malignancy, has increased significantly within the past decade. Despite the advances in radiographic imaging, the use of laparoscopy for diagnosing and staging abdominal malignancy has become an important tool in the overall care of these patients. A review of published series for a variety of abdominal malignancies is presented. With the growing experience in this technique, some preliminary conclusions and ongoing issues are discussed.