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The Penis

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Essentials of Anatomic Pathology

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Abstract

Although several dermatoses and inflammatory processes can affect the penis it is its tumoral pathology which is more difficult to handle, especially because penile cancer is rare in developed countries. Squamous cell carcinomas represent most of penile tumors. Several histological subtypes are recognized and each one of them presents a distinctive morphology and a well-defined biological behavior. Proper histological sub typing is essential for therapeutic planning and surveillance strategies. In addition, several pathological factors, such as histological grade, anatomical level of infiltration and presence of perineural and vascular invasion, can be used to predict the likelihood of nodal metastasis and subsequently indicate a groin dissection only in cases in which a true benefit is expected. The recognition and proper classification of precursor lesions and preneoplastic conditions are essentials for the understanding of the pathogenesis and natural history of penile cancer. The role of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and several other factors, such as phimosis and lichen sclerosus, in the etiology of some penile tumors are also discussed. Key features of other penile tumors, benign or malignant, epithelial or mesenchymal, primary or secondary, are provided.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Instituto de Patología e Investigación, Asunción, Paraguay

    Alcides Chaux MD

  2. Department of Pathology and Scott Department of Urology, Dan L Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, USA

    Gustavo Ayala MD

  3. Director, Instituto de Patología e Investigación, Universidad Nacional de Asunción, Asunción, Paraguay

    Antonio L. Cubilla MD

Authors
  1. Alcides Chaux MD
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  2. Gustavo Ayala MD
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  3. Antonio L. Cubilla MD
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Medicine, Dept. Pathology, Indiana University, N. University Blvd. 550, Indianapolis, 46202, Indiana, USA

    Liang Cheng

  2. Bostwick Laboratories, N. Parham Rd. 2807, Richmond, 23294, Virgin Islands, USA

    David G. Bostwick

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Chaux, A., Ayala, G., Cubilla, A.L. (2011). The Penis. In: Cheng, L., Bostwick, D. (eds) Essentials of Anatomic Pathology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-6043-6_40

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-6043-6_40

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