A group of medical professionals at HCG Cancer Hospital used robotic-assisted lymph node dissection in conjunction with organ-preserving surgery to successfully treat a 62-year-old patient with Stage T2 penile cancer. Dr. Gaurav Aggarwal, Head of Department and Senior Consultant for Uro-Oncology and Robotics at HCG Cancer Hospital in Kolkata, oversaw the process.

After observing a slowly growing lump on his penis for almost a year, the patient went to the hospital. Additionally, he had phimosis, a disorder in which the foreskin tightens and is unable to be drawn back over the head of the penis. The patient had an ECOG (Eastern Co-operative Oncology Group) performance status of 1, indicating that he was able to perform everyday tasks despite the symptoms.

Doctors recommended a CECT (Contrast-Enhanced Computed Tomography) scan of the chest and abdomen to assess the extent of the cancer’s spread. The scans revealed that the tumor had spread to the corpus spongiosum, the sponge-like tissue that surrounds the urethra, the tube through which urine leaves the body, confirming Stage T2 penile cancer.

No palpable inguinal lymph nodes were found during the clinical examination, suggesting that no enlarged lymph nodes were found in the groin area. However, patients with Stage T2 disease may still have microscopic cancer cell spread to the local lymph nodes, according to standard international uro-oncological guidelines (viz. European Association of Urology (EAU)).

Initially, a partial penectomy—a procedure in which only the cancer-affected portion of the penis is removed while the remaining healthy portion is preserved—was carried out by surgeons to treat the condition. Effective tumor removal while preserving as much function as possible is made possible by this organ-sparing technique.

The team then carried out a bilateral inguinal lymph node dissection, which involves removing and examining lymph nodes from both sides of the groin, based on the histopathology report of the partial penectomy.

Doctors employed a minimally invasive robotic procedure known as RA-VEIL (Robotic Assisted-Video Endoscopic Inguinal Lymphadenectomy) in place of the conventional open surgery. This innovative method reduces blood loss, minimizes complications, and improves surgical precision by using robotic instruments and tiny incisions (8 mm).

With roughly 3.3 cases per 100,000 men and almost 10,000 new cases reported each year, penile cancer is still a public health concern in India, according to experts. Poor genital hygiene, phimosis, and HPV (Human Papillomavirus) infection are common risk factors.

Early medical consultation can greatly improve treatment outcomes, so doctors advise men not to ignore warning signs like persistent lumps, sores that do not heal, unusual discharge, bleeding, changes in skin color, or difficulty retracting the foreskin.

To improve recovery outcomes and guarantee that patients receive prompt diagnosis, accurate evidence-based treatment, and all-encompassing support throughout their cancer journey, doctors at HCG Cancer Centre continue to concentrate on cutting-edge, minimally invasive treatments and individualized cancer care.

Priyanka Dutta