Claudio Marino

Boeri L, et al. World J Mens Health. 2026 ;44:e87. https://doi.org/10.5534/wjmh.260241

Background: Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the penis accounts for approximately 95% of penile cancers and is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. SCC typically develops in uncircumcised men, most commonly affecting the foreskin or glans. While slow-growing, early detection is crucial to improve survival outcomes. Risk factors include advanced age, lack of circumcision, poor hygiene, HPV infection (types 16 and 18), chronic inflammation, and smoking. Methods: We conducted a retrospective, single-center study at IRCCS Hospital “G. Pascale” of Naples, Italy, involving 59 patients treated between January 2015 and January 2023. The inclusion criteria were surgically treated primary tumors, confirmed SCC pathology, and pathologically verified inguinal lymph node metastasis (ILNM). We analyzed clinical variables including lymph node involvement, lymphovascular invasion (LVI), spongiosum corpus involvement (SCI), HPV infection, and tumor differentiation. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to determine independent predictors of ILNM. Results: The mean age of patients was 66.67 ± 13.97 years. ILNM was confirmed in 24 patients (40.6%), while 35 (59.3%) had no lymph node involvement. Univariate analysis identified lymph node involvement at diagnosis (p = 0.005), LVI (p = 0.003), and SCI (p = 0.003) as significant predictors of ILNM. These factors were confirmed in the multivariate analysis, with lymph node involvement (p = 0.004), LVI (p = 0.025), and SCI (p = 0.028) as independent predictors. Conclusions: Lymph node status, LVI, and SCI are significant predictors of ILNM in penile SCC. Identifying these factors can aid in risk stratification, optimizing surgical decisions, and potentially reducing unnecessary morbidity. Further large-scale studies are recommended to validate these findings and refine prognostic models.

To the Editor, Erectile dysfunction (ED) is one of the most prevalent conditions affecting men globally, with significant psychological and social consequences. The prevalence varies across different populations, and it is estimated around 50% in men aged between 40 to 70. The etiology of ED is multifactorial, involving a complex crosstalk between psychological, hormonal, neurogenic, vascular, and structural factors

Peyronie’s disease (PD) is a condition of penile connective tissue affecting up to 10% of men worldwide. In the complexity of its management, nonsurgical treatments, such as intraplaque injections, are gaining attention. The current literature shows data on the efficacy of intraplaque injections of hyaluronic acid (HA) mainly in acute-phase PD. However, data on injections of HA in stable-phase PD are lacking. Data for this retrospective study were derived from a prospectively maintained database of private patients presenting at a private medical practice affiliated to the University of Naples “Federico II” (Naples, Italy) with stable-phase PD between January 2020 and March 2023. Patients underwent a standard protocol of three injections, each administered at a two-week interval. During the intervals, patients performed vacuum device therapy, penile stretching, and modeling exercises. All patients compiled the Peyronie’s Disease Questionnaire (PDQ) and Global Assessment of Peyronie’s Disease (GAPD) at baseline and 2 weeks after the third injection. A penile Doppler ultrasound was performed 2 weeks after the last injection to record the final curvature. Overall, we recruited 62 patients with stable-phase PD and a mean (±standard deviation [s.d.]) curvature of 52.7° (±9.7°). After 6 weeks, eight (12.9%) patients did not experience any curvature improvement. The remaining 54 patients had a final mean (±s.d.) curvature of 40.3° (±9.1°) with P < 0.001, compared to that before treatment. We found improvement in all PDQ domains (all P ≤ 0.01), and 50 (80.6%) patients reported subjective improvement of the penile curvature according to the GAPD. In conclusion, we demonstrated that after three injections of HA administered according to the adopted protocol, patients with stable-phase PD could experience significant improvements in penile curvature, and physical and psychological consequences of the disease without significantly relevant side effects.

Background: Penile injection of foreign materials is an obsolete practice often performed by non-medical personnel in order to enlarge penile size. Methods: A systematic review of the literature from 1956 to 2022 was conducted in accordance with the general guidelines recommended by the Primary Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) statement. We included full papers published from 1956 to 2022. We also described a case report of a 23 year old Bulgarian male affected by penile paraffinoma who underwent a 2-stages surgical technique. Results: A total of 152 cases have been reported, with a median age of 37.9 ranging from 18 to 64 years. Six different techniques have been described in the whole literature: bilateral scrotal flap, simple excision of the paraffinoma with primary closure, two-stage scrotum skin flap, medial prepuce-soprapubic advancement flap technique and penile reconstruction using split thickness skin graft (STSG) or full thickness skin graft (FTSG). An analysis of the distribution among early and late complications was then carried out. Conclusion: In our experience, among the variety of surgical techniques described, a two-stage penile reconstruction using scrotal skin results in excellent cosmetic and functional outcomes, with a low rate of complications.

Background and Objectives: To describe the predictors of cribriform variant status and perineural invasion (PNI) in robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) histology. To define the rates of upgrading between biopsy specimens and final histology and their possible predictive factors in prostate cancer (PCa) patients undergoing RARP. Material and Methods: Within our institutional database, 265 PCa patients who underwent prostate biopsies and consecutive RARP at our center were enrolled (2018–2022). In the overall population, two independent multivariable logistic regression models (LRMs) predicting the presence of PNI or cribriform variant status at RARP were performed. In low- and intermediate-risk PCa patients according to D’Amico risk classification, three independent multivariable LRMs were fitted to predict upgrading. Results: Of all, 30.9% were low-risk, 18.9% were intermediate-risk and 50.2% were high-risk PCa patients. In the overall population, the rates of the cribriform variant and PNI at RARP were 55.8% and 71.1%, respectively. After multivariable LRMs predicting PNI, total tumor length in biopsy cores (>24 mm [OR: 2.37, p-value = 0.03], relative to 24 mm [OR: 2.47, p = 0.01], relative to p = 0.01) was an independent predicting factor. Conclusions: RARP represents a tailored and risk-adapted treatment strategy for PCa patients. The indication of RP progressively migrates to high-risk PCa after a pre-operative assessment. Specifically, the PIRADS score at mpMRI should guide the decision-making process of urologists for PCa patients.

Neuropsychiatric disorders are a common manifestation of COVID-19, due to the significant affinity of SARS-CoV-2 for the central nervous system.

This year marks the fiftieth anniversary of the first implant of an inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP). The authors of this paper want to celebrate the event with a narrative review of the current literature. The main scopes are antibiotic prophylaxis, patient satisfaction, and future developments. The implant of the first IPP in 1973, performed by Branteley Scott was a turning point in the history of penile prosthesis, revolutionizing the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED). Since then, the idea of an inflatable device has not changed much. However, the innovations in design, materials, surgical techniques, and perioperative management led to a more natural, durable, and reliable device featuring fewer complications and greater patient satisfaction. Currently, IPP is associated with high patient satisfaction and excellent long-term outcomes, remaining the gold standard for men with refractory ED. Several strategies are under investigation to improve the technology of penile prosthesis, and we expect in the next future the introduction of new devices that are easier to activate, discreet, comfortable when deflated, and durable in time, mimicking a more physiological erection.

Massive scrotal elephantiasis is a rare disease that usually requires a surgical approach. Lymphedema of the genitalia can have a different presentation that requires different treatment. The present study describes the case of a 43‑year‑old Caucasian male patient by scrotal elephantiasis of unknown causes with a buried penis. A novel surgical technique was applied for the treatment of massive scrotal elephantiasis and the authors present this single‑center experience. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed the integrity of the corpora cavernosa, the spermatic cords, as well as the testes. The patient underwent a scrotectomy using a ‘hanger‑shaped incision’ followed by scrotal reconstruction to obtain an adequate cosmetic outcome. The surgical approach to this uncommon disease is referred to as a ‘hanger‑shaped incision’. As demonstrated herein, this novel technique permits the formation of a trapezoidal cavity that allows the reconstruction of a neo‑scrotum, a neo‑septum and partially restoring the natural appearance of the genitalia.