Malignant melanoma of the penis and male urethra. Report of nine cases and review of the literature

Abstract

Nine cases of primary malignant melanoma of the penis and male urethra are presented. The age range of the patients was 57-77 years. Five patients had intermittent bleeding, one had pain, and three were asymptomatic. Six patients had the melanoma on the glans or prepuce and three in the urethra; two presented with inguinal lymph node metastases. Penile amputation was performed in six patients, local excision in three, groin dissection in four, and one was given radiotherapy. Postoperative metastases were seen in eight patients, four of whom were treated with surgery, alone or in combination with radiotherapy, and one with chemotherapy. Two patients are still living, at 2 and 14 years after diagnosis, respectively. Seven patients have died of their tumors, five of them within 2 years. This confirms the consensus of available reports that, irrespective of what type of therapy is used, prognosis is poor in patients with malignant melanoma of the penis and urethra.