A rare case of penile cancer in situ metastasizing to lymph nodes

Abstract

Penile carcinoma in situ, or Queyrat's erythroplasia, is a rare condition of the glans penis. This lesion has been associated with invasive squamous cell carcinoma; however, metastasis without an invasive component is extremely rare. There have only been 2 documented cases with metachronous metastases. We report a third case in which metastases were diagnosed at presentation. The patient was a 51-year-old man who presented with a glans penile lesion and bilateral inguinal masses later determined to be carcinoma in situ with metastases to the inguinal and pelvic lymph nodes. He subsequently underwent a partial penectomy and lymphadenectomy followed by adjuvant chemotherapy and radiation. This case is discussed, along with a brief review of the literature.

Figure 1

This photograph shows carcinoma in situ of the glans penis (Queyrat's erythroplasia).

Figure 2

Histopathology of the primary penile lesion showing carcinoma in situ of the glans penis (hematoxylin-eosin staining, original magnification 20 x)

Figure 3

Histopathology of the primary penile lesion showing carcinoma in situ of the glans penis (hematoxylin-eosin staining, original magnification 40 x)

Figure 4

Histopathology of the metastic squamous cell carcinoma of an inguinal lymph node (hematoxylin-eosin staining, original magnification 40 x)