LAUSR

1https://www.medicaljournals.se/acta/content/abstract/10.2340/00015555-3004 Penile squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is uncommon (1, 2). Two distinct pathways lead to penile SCC: one is linked to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and is associated with undifferentiated penile intraepithelial neoplasia (PeIN); the other is linked to non-neoplastic epithelial disorders, such as epithelial hyperplasia or lichen sclerosus (LS) and is associated with differentiated PeIN (3–7). Little is known about molecular changes in the genesis of penile cancer. Only one study has reported the expression of hormonal receptors, such as oestrogen receptors (ERα), and androgen receptor (AR) in normal penile epithelium, with no sign of progesterone receptor (PR) expression (8). Thus far, however, no studies have investigated the possible role of these receptors in the transition from normal epithelium to male genital LS or penile SCC. The aims of the present study were to describe histological and immunohistochemical features of SCCs, to examine the modulation of hormonal receptors ERα, AR, PR and molecular proliferation markers (p53 and Ki-67) in normal penile epithelium and in SCC, and to extend this evaluation to penile lesions adjacent to SCC.