Boston cancer patient receives first penis transplant in US

BOSTON (AP) — A cancer patient has received the first penis transplant in the United States, a Boston hospital said today.

Massachusetts General Hospital has confirmed that Thomas Manning of Halifax, Mass., received the transplanted penis in a 15-hour procedure last week. The organ was transplanted from a deceased donor.

The New York Times first reported the transplant today.

Dr. Curtis Cetrulo, who helped lead the surgical team, tells the newspaper that normal urination should be possible for the 64-year-old Manning in a few weeks, with sexual function possible in weeks to months.

“We’re cautiously optimistic,” said Cetrulo, a plastic and reconstructive surgeon, adding that “it’s uncharted waters for us.”

The Times reports most of Manning’s penis was removed amid a battle with an aggressive and potentially fatal penile cancer.

The donor penis came from the New England Organ Bank. It told the newspaper that the donor’s family wished to remain anonymous, but had delivered well wishes to Manning.