Case report

Extramammary Paget's disease of the penis: a case report and review of the literature

Kingsley C Ekwueme¹ , Hani D Zakhour² and Nigel J Parr¹

¹  Regional Cancer Centre, Department of Urology, Wirral University Teaching Hospital, Arrowe Park Road, Upton, Wirral, CH49 5PE, UK

²  Department of Histopathology and Clinical Cytology, Wirral University Teaching Hospital, Arrowe Park Road, Upton, Wirral, CH49 5PE, UK

author email corresponding author email

Journal of Medical Case Reports 2009, 3:4doi:10.1186/1752-1947-3-4

Published:	6 January 2009

Abstract

Introduction

Extramammary Paget's disease is a rare cutaneous, slow growing, intraepithelial adenocarcinoma developing in the apocrine gland-bearing areas. Isolated Paget's disease of the penis is extremely rare.

Case presentation

We describe the case of an 87-year-old Caucasian male who presented with a non-healing erythematous plaque on the shaft of the penis previously misdiagnosed as Bowen's disease. The diagnosis was made histologically on the excised specimen and was supported by immunohistochemical staining.

Conclusion

Extramammary Paget's disease is a rare disease which can mimic various types of dermatosis. A high index of suspicion is required, combined with biopsy and immunohistochemical staining in order to make the correct diagnosis. Long-term follow-up is mandatory in these patients in order to identify and treat any subsequent recurrence or concurrent malignancy.