Penile sparing surgical approaches for primary penile tumors: preserving function and appearance

Penile Cancer: Managing Sexual Dysfunction and Improving Quality of Life After Therapy

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To review the most current literature on how the treatment for penile cancer can affect quality of life and to discuss current treatment options to overcome sexual dysfunction and ultimately improve patient wellbeing.

RECENT FINDINGS

Multiple medical and surgical therapies exist to address the high incidence of sexual dysfunction following penile cancer treatment. Advancements and refinements in the neophalloplasty, penile prosthesis, and penile lengthening procedures have opened the door to improved long-term outcomes. Additionally, studies continue to highlight the severe psychological toll that penile cancer treatment can have on patients. We explore the potential options for addressing the inherent psychologic effects of these treatments and highlight the need for further research in this domain. Although rare, it is important for all urologists to be familiar with the treatments and post-treatment sequelae of penile cancer. Penile cancer is associated with dramatic decline in quality of life and sexual function. Multiple medical and surgical therapies exist that addresses these concerns. Additionally, urologists must also be mindful of the psychologic component regarding surgical disfigurement and the decline in sexual function.

Review of penile reconstructive techniques

Reconstructive surgery of the penis holds many unique challenges due to the unique physiological properties of the tissues. Much of the effort involved therefore goes to preserving as much of the native tissue as possible whilst novel and creative methods have been adopted to repair defects and in creation of neophallus. A search of the PubMed database was carried out using the following keywords: 'penile trauma', 'penile cancer', 'lichen sclerosus', 'glansectomy', 'glans resurfacing', 'penile-sparing surgery', 'micropenis', 'aphallia', 'female-to-male sex reassignment surgery', 'scrotal flap' and 'genital lymphoedema'. Results for glans resurfacing in treating cancer showed low local recurrence rates at 0-10% whilst 90% of lichen sclerosus patients reported complete resolutions of pain and pruritis. For repairs of penile shaft skin defects the literature supports the use of full-thickness skin graft and pedicled scrotal flaps. The radial artery-based forearm free flap remains the best option for neophallus creation in terms of function, sensation and cosmesis but unfortunately leaves a disfiguring scar and involves multiple stages. Some novel techniques have been developed to circumvent these issues and are discussed. This article presents an update on the important developments in the field of penile reconstructive surgery.