A 56-year- old man presented at the consultation with a 18-month history of a « nail » growing at the base of his glans penis without any pain or bleeding. He used to cut this nail intermittently, and decided to make a consultation because he started a new relationship with a woman. Clinical status showed no palpable inguinal lymphnodes.
The tumor was locally excised, and microscopical examination revealed papillomatosis and hyperkeratosis of the malpighian epithelium, with a strong inflammatory reaction of the chorion, and signs of local micro-invasion, as well as presence of well-differenciated squamous epithelial cells. Surgical margins were negative. Differential diagnosis is made between a benign papillomatous proliferation and a verrucous carcinoma. The patient had a favorable wound healing, and we decided to follow him clinically.
Verrucous carcinoma of the glans penis is characterized by low malignant potential and locally agressive nature. It seldom develops metastasis to regional lymphnodes or distant areas. Local excision, glandectomy, or partial penectomy can be chosen as treatment with favorable prognosis.