Radiation Therapy for Cancer of the Penis

Radiotherapy, in the form of external beam radiotherapy or interstitial brachytherapy, provides an effective penile-sparing option for localized squamous cell carcinoma of the penis. Interstitial brachytherapy is completed in 4 to 5 days and provides 5-year penile preservation rates of 70% to 88%, and at 10 years, 67% to 72%. Surgery provides effective salvage for local failures, maintaining cause-specific survival at 84% to 92% at 10 years. Ideal tumors for brachytherapy should be less than 4 cm without extension onto the shaft. More advanced cases can be considered for external radiotherapy.