Extramammary Paget's disease of scrotum—report of 25 cases and literature review

ObjectivesWe evaluate the clinical manifestations, management, and prognostic characteristics of scrotal extramammary Paget's disease (EMPD).MethodsThe study comprised 25 patients with scrotal EMPD at our institute from January 1982 to February 2005, with all available clinical and pathological data reviewed.ResultsOf these 25 patients, 1 received radiotherapy and 24 received local wide excisions. In 24 operated patients, 7 had local recurrence and/or metastasis of groin lymph node. Five of the 7 with recurrence had a positive surgical margin postoperatively and they received a second local extensive excision. One of the 7 with recurrence and metastasis of the groin lymph node had a second local extensive excision with groin lymphadenectomy, and the last one who only had metastasis of the groin lymph node had a groin lymphadenectomy. Four of 13 patients with dermal invasion by Paget's cell had metastasis. None of the other 12 patients without dermal invasion had metastasis. However, there was no statistical metastasis rate difference (P = 0.096) between the patients with dermal invasion by Paget's cell and without. There was no statistical difference (P = 0.947) in mean delay time from onset of symptoms to diagnosis between the 2 groups either. The follow-up duration varies from 17 to 243 months (mean 119 + 86.2 months). One patient with stage D died of EMPD of the scrotum.ConclusionsWe found that EMPD of the scrotum is usually a slow progressive disease, mainly seen in elderly patients, and has a good prognosis when there is noninvasive disease. The primary treatment for EMPD of the scrotum is wide surgical excision. The key to decreasing tumor recurrence, however, is a precise, preoperative histological examination to define the range of the lesion.