MYC gains progressively increased during penile squamous cell carcinoma progression from in situ samples to metastases. MYC gains were an independent factor for poor prognosis. These findings were independent of HPV infection. MYC expression was increased in samples with HPV infection, probably reflecting direct activation of MYC.

Our findings indicate that in penile squamous cell carcinoma epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition is associated with poor prognosis but not with the presence of HPV.