Dr. Nguyen Hoang Duc, Head of Urology, Center for Urology - Nephrology - Andrology, Tam Anh General Hospital, TP HCM, biopsied the lesion. The pathology report confirmed Mr. Toan had squamous cell carcinoma of the penis, the most common type of this disease.
Penile cancer often begins as small lesions on the glans, such as warts, red patches, or slow-healing ulcers. Cancer cells typically spread early through the lymphatic system, with the inguinal lymph nodes often being the primary affected site. Patients require surgery to remove the tumor and bilateral inguinal lymph node dissection to stage the disease and guide appropriate treatment. Depending on the extent of spread, doctors may perform a partial or near-total penectomy to eliminate all cancer cells.
Mr. Toan underwent bilateral inguinal lymph node dissection using 3D endoscopic surgery. Doctors removed the segment of the penis containing the tumor. Then, through three small incisions in the groin area, a 3D camera, magnified 10-15 times, helped the team dissect and remove the superficial and deep inguinal lymph nodes, which are common sites for early cancer metastasis.
According to Dr. Duc, this 3D endoscopic inguinal lymph node dissection is less invasive than open surgery. It reduces soft tissue damage, minimizes skin necrosis and infection, and shortens recovery time. The surgery was successful, and Mr. Toan was discharged one week later.
Doctors advise patients to limit strenuous activity and avoid heavy lifting to reduce the risk of fluid accumulation or swelling in the groin and legs. Patients should monitor for post-lymph node dissection complications such as groin pain, drainage, fever, or leg swelling, and attend regular follow-ups for early detection of recurrence or metastasis.
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Dr. Duc (far left) performs 3D endoscopic surgery on Mr. Toan. *Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital*
Most penile cancer cases are squamous cell carcinomas, often originating from the glans or foreskin. This disease can be linked to several risk factors, including poor genital hygiene, prolonged phimosis, chronic inflammation, HPV virus infection, smoking, or unsafe sexual practices.
Dr. Duc advises men to consult a specialist if they experience warts, red patches, slow-healing ulcers, discharge, bleeding, or unusual lesions in the genital area for more than two weeks, to determine the cause and receive early treatment.
Dinh Lam
*Patient's name has been changed.
