Metastatic Tumors, Penis
Antonio L. Cubilla, MD
Alcides Chaux, MD
Elsa F. Velazquez, MD
Key Facts
Terminology
GU tumors are most common primary sites
Bladder urothelial carcinomas and prostatic adenocarcinomas account for most of cases
Macroscopic Features
Corpora cavernosa are most frequent anatomic site affected
Glans and foreskin are rarely involved
Microscopic Pathology
Tumor cells mainly in vascular spaces of penile erectile tissues
Histological subtypes rarely found as primary penile tumors
Top Differential Diagnoses
Primary squamous cell carcinoma
Primary penile sarcoma
Urothelial carcinoma of urethra
 Diagram of a secondary prostatic adenosquamous carcinoma shows multiple deep-seated metastatic nodules mainly located in corpora cavernosa of the penile shaft without affecting the glans surface. |
 Metastatic adenocarcinoma from sigmoid colon extensively involving vascular spaces of penile erectile tissues  but with no involvement of penile shaft skin  . |
TERMINOLOGY
Definitions
Secondary involvement of penis by malignancy with predilection for erectile tissues of corpora cavernosa
ETIOLOGY/PATHOGENESIS
Routes of Spread
Mostly by retrograde venous or lymphatic spread
Arterial spread, direct extension from regional sites, and secondary embolization
CLINICAL ISSUES
Site
Predilection for erectile tissues of corpora cavernosa
Among tumors metastatic to penis, genitourinary (GU) tumors are most common, although only a minority of GU tumors metastasize to penis
Bladder urothelial carcinoma and prostatic adenocarcinomas account for most primary tumors
Other GU primary sites include kidney (renal cell carcinoma) and testis (seminoma)
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