Il carcinoma squamoso del pene: epidemiologia, fattori di rischio e terapia mini-invasiva

The authors present a literature review on the epidemiology, risk factors and mini-invasive therapy of squamous cell carcinoma of the penis (CSP). In respect of epidemiology, CSP has a geographical distribution linked to social, economic and religious factors, being a rare tumour in industrialised countries. The most common risk factors are phimosis, chronic inflammation, exposure to UVA rays, cigarette smoke, infection from Papillomavirus and certain pre-cancerous lesions such as leukoplakia, balanitis xerotica obliterans, condyloma, Queyrat's erythroplasia and Bowen's disease. Mini-invasive therapy aims at fully excising the tumour while preserving the organ. It can be achieved by surgery, laser therapy with C02 and Nd:YAG, conventional radiotherapy, brachytherapy and chemotherapy. These therapeutic methods are discussed in more detail in the article.