Lymphedematous fibroepithelial polyps of the glans penis and prepuce: a clinicopathologic study of 7 cases demonstrating a strong association with chronic condom catheter use.

Abstract

This report describes an underrecognized entity of the penis that is associated with chronic condom catheter use and phimosis. Our study group consisted of 7 patients who presented with polypoid or cauliflower-like masses that involved the glans penis or prepuce and that ranged in size from 2 to 7.5 cm in greatest dimension (median size, 2.5 cm). The majority of lesions affected the ventral surface of the glans, near the urethral meatus. The patients ranged in age from 25 to 58 years (median age, 40 years) at the time of initial surgical resection. The preoperative duration of the lesions ranged from 6 months to 10 years. Five patients had a history of long-term condom catheter use (duration: 5 to 21 years), and 1 patient had paraphimosis. The background history for 1 patient is unknown. Histologically, all specimens had a polypoid configuration and a keratinizing squamous epithelial surface. The underlying stroma was notably edematous, and there was vascular dilation of preexisting vessels, and in many instances, a focal mild small vessel proliferation. The stroma had mildly to moderately increased cellularity with mononucleated and multinucleated mesenchymal cells. A mild inflammatory infiltrate was often present. Two cases were examined with immunohistochemistry, and the stromal cells had limited immunoreactivity for muscle-specific actin, alpha-smooth muscle actin, and desmin and had no reactivity for S100 protein or CD34. Surgical intervention was local in all instances. Follow-up information was available for 5 of the 7 patients (71%), with a mean follow-up interval of 11 years 4 months. Two patients developed a local recurrence of the process at intervals of less than 1 years and 3 years 7 months. Both recurrent lesions were also managed by local excision.

• Authors: John F Fetsch, Charles J Davis Jr, James R Hallman, Luke S Chung, George P Lupton, Isabell A Sesterhenn
• Journal: Human pathology (Hum Pathol) Vol. 35 Issue 2 Pg. 190-5 (Feb 2004) ISSN: 0046-8177 [Print] United States
• PMID: 14991536 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Topics

• Adult
• Humans
• Immunohistochemistry
• Lymphedema (etiology)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Penile Diseases (etiology, pathology, surgery)
• Penis (pathology, surgery)
• Polyps (etiology, surgery)
• Treatment Outcome
• Urinary Catheterization (adverse effects, instrumentation)