The Controversy and Progress of Regional Lymphadenectomy in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Penis

Regional lymphadenectomy （including inguinal lymphadenectomy and iliac lymphadenectomy） plays an important role in squamous cell carcinoma of the penis. But open inguinal lymphadenectomy carries a significant morbidity. It still remains controversial in the regional lymphadenectomy of penile cancer as follows: When is the appropriate time to perform regional lymphadenectomy? How to perform regional lymphadenectomy? Could the video endoscopic technology take the place of the traditional lymphadenectomy? After reviewing the recent manuscripts, the confusion of the regional lymphadenectomy of penile cancer, the improvement/limitation of the open inguinal lymphadenectomy and the latest progression of video endoscopic lymphadenectomy in the penile cancer were described in this review.