Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Erythroplasia of Queyrat

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
European Handbook of Dermatological Treatments

  • 39 Accesses

Abstract

Erythroplasia of Queyrat (EQ) is a carcinoma in situ of the mucosal surface of the penis. Poor hygiene and local irritation, as well as coinfection with HPV-8 and HPV-16, are potential risk factors. It presents as a well-demarcated, velvety red plaque of variable size, with smooth surface, involving the glans penis or the inner surface of the prepucial skin and may progress to invasive squamous cell carcinoma in 10–33% of the cases. Treatment of choice is surgical excision of the lesion, but preservation of functionality of the penis and of the sexual activity may pose limitations to the extent and radicality of surgery. Safety margins of at least 5 mm are generally acceptable for excision, which on most occasions result in large defects. Therefore, Mohs micrographic surgery is suggested in an effort to spare unaffected tissue. Carbon dioxide or neodymium:YAG laser therapy and the application of 5-fluorouracil cream or imiquimod cream are the main alternatives to surgery in order to preserve function without affecting sexual activity.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 349.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 449.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Ahmed I, Berth-Jones J, Charles-Holmes S, O’Callaghan CJ, Ilchyshyn A. Comparison of cryotherapy with curettage in the treatment of Bowen’s disease: a prospective study. Br J Dermatol. 2000;143(4):759–66.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Alnajjar HM, Lam W, Bolgeri M, Rees RW, Perry MJ, Watkin NA. Treatment of carcinoma in situ of the glans penis with topical chemotherapy agents. Eur Urol. 2012;62(5):923–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Angerer-Shpilenya M, Gaisa NT, Jakse G. Excision of carcinoma in situ of the glans penis with reconstructive plastic surgery. Urologe A. 2010;49(3):392–5.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bunker CB, Neill SM. The genital, perianal and umbilical regions. In: Burns T, Breathnach SM, Cox N, Griffiths C, editors. Rook’s textbook of dermatology, vol. vol. 4. 8th ed. Oxford: Blackwell Science; 2010. p. 71.38–9.

    Google Scholar 

  • Calzavara-Pinton PG, Rossi MT, Sala R, Italian Group For Photodynamic Therapy. A retrospective analysis of real-life practice of off-label photodynamic therapy using methyl aminolevulinate (MAL-PDT) in 20 Italian dermatology departments. Part 2: oncologic and infectious indications. Photochem Photobiol Sci. 2013;12(1):158–65.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chan S-L, Watchorn RE, Panagou E, Panou E, Ong ELH, Kara Heelan K, Haider A, Freeman A, Bunker CB. Dermatoscopic findings of penile intraepithelial neoplasia: bowenoid papulosis, bowen disease and erythroplasia of Queyrat. Australas J Dermatol. 2019;60(3):e201–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Conejo-Mir JS, Muñoz MA, Linares M, Rodríguez L, Serrano A. Carbon dioxide laser treatment of erythroplasia of Queyrat: a revisited treatment to this condition. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2005;19(5):643–4.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Crispen PL, Mydlo JH. Penile intraepithelial neoplasia and other premalignant lesions of the penis. Urol Clin North Am. 2010;37(3):335–42.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Deen K, Burdon-Jones D. Imiquimod in the treatment of penile intraepithelial neoplasia: an update. Australas J Dermatol. 2017;58(2):86–92.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Errichetti E, Lallas A, Di Stefani A, Apalla Z, Kyrgidis A, Lacarrubba F, Micali G, Galvan A, Piaserico S, Stinco G. Accuracy of dermoscopy in distinguishing erythroplasia of Queyrat from common forms of chronic balanitis: results from a multicentric observational study. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2019;33(5):966–72.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fai D, Romano I, Cassano N, Vena GA. Methyl-aminolevulinate photodynamic therapy for the treatment of erythroplasia of Queyrat in 23 patients. J Dermatolog Treat. 2012;23(5):330–2.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fanning DM, Flood H. Erythroplasia of Queyrat. Clin Pract. 2012;2(3):e63.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Feldmeyer L, Krausz-Enderlin V, Töndury B, Hafner J, French LE, Hofbauer GFL. Methylaminolaevulinic acid photodynamic therapy in the treatment of erythroplasia of Queyrat. Dermatology. 2011;223(1):52–6.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Goette DK, Carson TE. Erythroplasia of Queyrat: treatment with topical 5-fluorouracil. Cancer. 1976;38(4):1498–502.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Graham JH, Helwig EB. Erythroplasia of Queyrat. A clinicopathologic and histochemical study. Cancer. 1973;32(6):1396–414.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hadway P, Corbishley CM, Watkin NA. Total glans resurfacing for premalignant lesions of the penis: initial outcome data. BJU Int. 2006;98(3):532–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kim B, Garcia F, Touma N, Moussa M, Izawa JI. A rare case of penile cancer in situ metastasizing to lymph nodes. Can Urol Assoc J. 2007;1(4):404–7.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Kutlubay Z, Engin B, Zara T, Tüzün Y. Anogenital malignancies and premalignancies: facts and controversies. Clin Dermatol. 2013;31(4):362–73.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lee MR, Ryman W. Erythroplasia of Queyrat treated with topical methyl aminolevulinate photodynamic therapy. Australas J Dermatol. 2005;46(3):196–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Malloy TR, Wein AJ, Carpiniello VL. Carcinoma of penis treated with neodymium YAG laser. Urology. 1988;31(1):26–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Maranda EL, Nguyen AH, Lim VM, Shah VV, Jimenez JJ. Erythroplasia of Queyrat treated by laser and light modalities: a systematic review. Lasers Med Sci. 2016;31(9):1971–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McLean M, Akl AM, Warde P, Bissett R, Panzarella T, Gospodarowicz M. The results of primary radiation therapy in the management of squamous cell carcinoma of the penis. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 1993;25(4):623–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Meijer RP, Boon TA, van Venrooij GE, Wijburg CJ. Long-term follow-up after laser therapy for penile carcinoma. Urology. 2007;69(4):759–62.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sonnex TS, Ralfs IG, Plaza de Lanza M, Dawber RP. Treatment of erythroplasia of Queyrat with liquid nitrogen cryosurgery. Br J Dermatol. 1982;106(5):581–4.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Stables GI, Stringer MR, Robinson DJ, Ash DV. Erythroplasia of Queyrat treated by topical aminolaevulinic acid photodynamic therapy. Br J Dermatol. 1999;140(3):514–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tietjen DN, Malek RS. Laser therapy of squamous cell dysplasia and carcinoma of the penis. Urology. 1998;52(4):559–65.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • van Bezooijen BP, Horenblas S, Meinhardt W, Newling DW. Laser therapy for carcinoma in situ of the penis. J Urol. 2001;166(5):1670–1.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Varma S, Holt PJ, Anstey AV. Erythroplasia of queyrat treated by topical aminolaevulinic acid photodynamic therapy: a cautionary tale. Br J Dermatol. 2000;142(4):825–6.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wieland U, Jurk S, Weissenborn S, Krieg T, Pfister H, Ritzkowsky A. Erythroplasia of queyrat: coinfection with cutaneous carcinogenic human papillomavirus type 8 and genital papillomaviruses in a carcinoma in situ. J Invest Dermatol. 2000;115(3):396–401.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology, University General Hospital of Heraklion, Heraklion, Greece

    Konstantinos Krasagakis

Authors
  1. Konstantinos Krasagakis
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Konstantinos Krasagakis .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Andreas Syggros Hospital, Athens State University, Athens, Greece

    Andreas D. Katsambas

  2. Research Center CSRMR, Marconi University, Rome, Roma, Italy

    Torello M. Lotti

  3. Andreas Syggros Hospital, Athens State University, Athens, Greece

    Clio Dessinioti

  4. Dermatoloy Unit, Livorno Hospital, Livorno, Italy

    Angelo Massimiliano D'Erme

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2023 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Krasagakis, K. (2023). Erythroplasia of Queyrat. In: Katsambas, A.D., Lotti, T.M., Dessinioti, C., D'Erme, A.M. (eds) European Handbook of Dermatological Treatments. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-15130-9_30

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-15130-9_30

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-031-15129-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-031-15130-9

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation