Recognizing genital lymphoedema after penile cancer

Lymphadenectomy for penile cancer treatment increases the risk of genital lymphoedema. There is very little acknowledgment of the risk of genital lymphoedema after penile cancer or its treatment in current literature. Genital lymphoedema is most responsive to treatment in the early stages before irreversible skin changes occur; therefore, early identification would benefit patients. A urology clinic‐based study found an assumption among health care professionals that in patients with a broad range of genital cancers, post‐operative acute genital oedema would resolve on its own, meaning vigilance for chronic lymphoedema was low. It is unclear whether vigilance for lymphoedema is any higher in specialist centres treating penile cancer. This article describes some of the challenges of recognizing genital lymphoedema in an uro‐oncology caseload and specifically in relation to penile cancer. An example case report of penile cancer‐related lymphoedema is described and puts this within the context of two relevant studies, one in a single uro‐oncology centre and the other a wider international education need study of health professionals who manage genital lymphoedema. For patients identified at particular risk, adding genital lymphoedema to the list of possible consequences of treatment could mean timely access to advice and treatment, resulting in better health outcomes. Making health professionals aware of the availability of information and education resources regarding rarely encountered conditions can be challenging. Lymphoedema specialists in collaboration with urology specialist nurses and physicians, and pelvic floor specialists have developed support and education resources to meet the identified needs. These included improved assessment documentation, accredited e‐learning, updated course materials for specialists, a series of international webinars and a set of six brief, free‐to‐view videos, hosted on the website of a recognized international lymphoedema charity.