Diagnosis, Treatment and Survival From Penile Cancer: Real-World Data From the National Health Service England Between 2013 and 2020

Abstract

Introduction

The NHS National Disease Registration Service (NDRS) collects and curate data on cancer diagnoses. We report data for patients diagnosed with penile cancer (PeCa) in England between 2013 and 2020.

Patient and Methods

Data were extracted from the NDRS “Get Data Out” database. The incidence per year, route to diagnosis (RTD), treatment modalities and overall survival were analyzed.

Results

4,268 men were diagnosed with PeCa between 2013 and 2020. The number of diagnoses increased from 485 in 2013 to 635 in 2019 (30.9% increase). 2168 (50.8%) patients had stage I-II disease and 824 (19.3%) had stage III-IV disease. The stage was unknown in 1,276 (29.9%) cases. The majority were diagnosed through the 2-week-wait (2ww) referral pathway (n = 1072, 34.2%) or via GP referrals (n = 1083, 34.6%). 263 (8.4%) patients presented as emergencies, with this RTD being more common in men aged ≥70 years (P = .04) or men with stage III-IV (P = .01). The most common treatment modality was surgery alone (n = 3,391, 79.5%). 56 (1.3%) men had radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy alone, which was more common in stage III-IV disease. At 12, 24 and 60 months, overall survival across all years was 86.3%, 77.6% and 63.8% respectively. Survival remained relatively stable over time. Patients aged ≥70 years (P < .0001) or with stage III-IV (P < .0001) had poorer survival.

Conclusion

The NDRS provides valuable data on the rising incidence of PeCa, RTD, treatment and survival in England. Most of the patients were diagnosed through the 2ww or GP referral routes. Surgery was the primary treatment modality and survival remained stable over time.