The main objective was to evaluate key survival results, comprising progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS), in individuals with histopathologically confirmed penile cancer, along with an assessment of clinical features, treatment strategies, and therapy-related side effects.

This study comprised retrospective analyses of individuals diagnosed with penile cancer, confirmed by histology, between April 2021 and December 2024, regardless of disease stage. Case records were reviewed to gather information on demographics, clinical details, histopathology, and treatment outcomes.

As the data was collected retrospectively, no prior sample size estimate was performed. Data analysis was carried out using SPSS version 27.

The most common presenting symptoms were ulcerative-proliferative growth (60%), pain (50%), dysuria (40%), and lymphedema (40%). The median age of patients in this retrospective study was 56 years (interquartile range: 49.25–59.25). Out of the 10 patients included, 9 (90%) had localized or locally advanced disease and underwent primary surgical treatment. Among them, eight patients (80%) had partial penectomy, while one patient (10%) underwent total penectomy. These patients received adjuvant chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy based on their disease stage. One patient (10%) had metastatic disease at diagnosis and was treated with upfront palliative chemotherapy. Most patients presented with advanced-stage tumors, with 60% having T3/T4 disease and 90% showing lymph node involvement (N + ). For those with nonmetastatic disease, the median disease-free survival was 14 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 12.61–15.38). Following disease progression, patients were treated with palliative intent, achieving a median PFS of 12 months (95% CI: 11.29–12.71) and a median OS of 28 months (95% CI: 24.9–31.09). Two patients (20%) experienced grade 3 or higher neutropenia, and one patient had hypothyroidism.

In India, penile cancer is frequently identified at an advanced stage. Patients presenting with recurrent, metastatic, or nodal disease tend to have poor OS, even with optimal palliative systemic therapy. This highlights a significant unmet need for more effective systemic treatment options in this group. Our study underscores the pressing need for region-specific research and improved access to multidisciplinary care.

All authors contributed equally and did the critical revision of the final manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

The authors declare that they have not used any generative artificial intelligence (AI) and AI-assisted technologies in the writing process.

Informed consent was obtained from all the patients for both participation and publication of the details.

This study was approved by the institutional review board and the patient's consent was taken. All procedures performed in our study involving any human participation were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and in compliance with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments.

All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this published article, and referenced articles are listed in the reference section.

Received: 11 March 2025

Accepted: 02 May 2025

Article published online:
22 May 2025

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