Pelvic Lymph Node Dissection for Penile Carcinoma: Extent of Inguinal Lymph Node Involvement as an Indicator for Pelvic Lymph Node Involvement and Survival

Purpose: We identified pathological parameters of inguinal lymph node involvement with the aim of predicting pelvic lymph node involvement and survival.Materials and Methods: A total of 308 patients with penile carcinoma and adequate followup were included in this study. The outcome of 102 patients who underwent lymphadenectomy for lymph node metastases was analyzed further. Histopathological characteristics of the regional lymph nodes were reviewed including unilateral or bilateral involvement, the number of involved nodes, pathological tumor grade of the involved nodes, and the presence of extracapsular growth.Results: Tumor grade of the involved inguinal lymph nodes (OR 6.0, 95% CI 1.2–30.3) and the number of involved nodes (2 or less vs more than 2) (OR 12.1, 95% CI 3.0–48.1) were independent prognostic factors for pelvic lymph node involvement. Extracapsular growth (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.1–4.8), bilateral inguinal involvement OR 3.4, 95% CI 1.2–9.4) and pelvic lymph node involvement (OR 3.1, 95% CI 1.4–6....