[Kaposi's sarcoma of the penis: our experience and review of the literature]

Abstract

Objectives: The present study reports our experience and the results achieved in the treatment of Kaposi's sarcoma of the penis. To date, only 53 cases of this uncommon pathology have been reported in the literature. The different therapeutic alternatives are discussed.

Methods: Three cases of Kaposi's sarcoma of the penis were referred to our department for evaluation and treatment. In two cases we performed palliative surgery (partial excision of penis and circumcision) for the urological symptoms and the third case received chemotherapy.

Results: The course of the disease was torpid. At 6 months the patient who had undergone partial excision of the penis showed tumor recurrence, there was scant response in the patient who had received chemotherapy and the outcome was poor in the patient that had undergone circumcision due to the general condition of the patient.

Conclusions: Kaposi's sarcoma of the penis is an uncommon lesion that usually presents in male homosexuals with AIDS. Different therapeutic options are available and some of them have been shown to be effective, although the results depend on the patient's general condition.