The value of a multi-specialty service,including genitourinary medicine,dermatology and urology input,in the management of male genital dermatoses

Abstract

We undertook a retrospective case note review of our monthly multi-specialty penile dermatoses clinic (which includes clinicians from Genitourinary medicine, Dermatology and Urology), to examine conditions presenting to the service, and compare clinical management and outcomes with other similar services in the UK. Over the 3-year study period, 226 patients were reviewed over 240 individual episodes. Lichenoid conditions were the most common category of genital pathologies seen (n = 60, 24%), but non-specific balanitis was the most common individual diagnosis (n = 55, 22%). Other common conditions seen included eczema and psoriasis (n = 28, 11%), Zoon/plasma cell balanitis (n = 26, 10%), malignancy/pre-malignant change (n = 25, 10%) and infective conditions (n = 24, 9%). The clinic had a biopsy rate of 10%; the most common indication was for confirmation of a clinical suspicion of malignancy/pre-malignancy. There was a high clinical-to-histological correlation in the biopsies of 79%. The most common treatment prescribed was topical corticosteroids and the clinic had a high discharge rate of 93%, the majority of patients discharged back to General Practice.