Penile Cancers in Gombe: A report of three Cases in 10 years.

Abstract

Introduction: Penile cancer is a rare malignancy worldwide. Its incidence has been found to be much lower in societies where circumcision is widely practiced. This article aimed to report 3 cases seen and managed in Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe, in the last 10 years. Case summaries: Case 1: A 67yr old man was referred in 2011 for a glanular ulcer discovered following an attempt at circumcision having been earlier diagnosed with phimosis. Examination revealed a pale elderly man with a circumferential malignant ulcer involving the glans penis. Histological diagnosis of invasive squamous cell carcinoma was made following which he subsequently had partial penectomy done. Case 2: A 66yr old man presented with a 6months history of an ulcer on his penis. There was associated history of foul smelling urethral discharge and haematuria. Physical examination revealed a fungating mass involving the distal penile shaft including the glans penis with a mobile bilateral inguinal lymph node and bilateral hydrocele. Histological diagnosis of well differentiated squamous cell carcinoma of the penis was made. He then had partial penectomy, bilateral in guinal lymphadenectomy and bilateral hydrocelectomy done. Case 3: A 75yr old man presented to our facility with 2 years history of recurrent penile ulcer and 6months history of LUTS, haematuria and weight loss. Physical examination revealed an extensive ulcer involving the whole of the dorsal aspect of the penile shaft. The glans was spared Incisional biopsy done was reported as verrucous carcinoma. He subsequently had excision and full thickness skin grafting done. Conclusion: Penile cancer is rare in Gombe where circumcision remains widely practiced.