Cancer of the
penis is extremely rare in the United States, affecting only about
1,500 men each year, or about 1 in every 100,000 men. The penile
cancer rate is much higher among men in India and some South American
countries, where circumcision at birth is not as common as in the
The risks for
penile cancer include:
Age: Most cases are seen in men aged 50-70, although nearly a third
of cases occur in men under 50.
Smoking: Men who either chew or smoke tobacco are more at risk for
Human Papillomavirus (HPV):
This sexually transmitted disease has more than a dozen subtypes.
HPV 16 and HPV 18 are most frequently linked to penile cancer.
Lack of circumcision at birth: Studies have shown that penile cancer
rates are higher in populations where circumcision is done later
or not at all.
Phimosis: a condition in which it's difficult to pull back the foreskin,
which can lead to the buildup of body oils, bacteria and other debris
known as smegma.
Penile cancer starts on the glans (head), or tip, of the penis and
spreads from there. Some men may have obvious symptoms in the early
stages, while others may not have any symptoms until the disease
has advanced. Although it may not mean cancer, any abnormalities
of the penis should be reported to your doctor as soon as possible.
Unfortunately, many men are reluctant to discuss these issues with
their physician, and may delay seeking treatment until the disease
is advanced and harder to treat.
Men who have
retained their foreskin need to examine the area underneath the
foreskin regularly, as well as keeping the area clean to lower their
risk. Penile cancer symptoms may include:
* A wart-like
growth or lesion
* An open sore that won't heal
* A reddish rash
* Persistent, smelly discharge under the foreskin
cancer depends on the stage of disease. Surgery is the most common
form of therapy, but laser therapy and radiation can be used for
smaller tumors. Surgery to remove all or part of the penis is called
is a frequently-used form of therapy. The tumor is removed along
with a margin of normal tissue. Historically, a two-centimeter margin
was obtained in all cases, but more recent data suggest that such
wide margins may not be necessary. Surgeons are currently attempting
to spare as much of the glans (head) and shaft as possible to retain
urinary and sexual function.
involves removal of the entire penis for large tumors. The surgeon
reroutes the urethra behind the testicles and a urethrostomy (hole)
is created so the patient can urinate. Penile reconstruction surgery
using a flap of skin from the forearm to create a new penis has
been done, but the procedure is still extremely rare.
For very small
superficial tumors, penile cancer may be treated with a laser beam
that destroys the tumor, radiation therapy and in some cases, a
cream containing the chemotherapy drug flourouracil applied to the
skin. These treatments offer the best opportunity to spare the glans
penis and sexual function. That is why it is important to find penile
tumors early by seeking immediate medical attention for any abnormalities
on the penis.
For more on
Penis Problems and Conditions, go
Amy Otis, RN is the owner and author of Sex-Ed101 and Coolnurse.com Stop by sometime, you might just learn something. Health class was never like this!
Amy Otis, BSN, RN is the owner and author of Sex-Ed101 and Coolnurse.com Stop by sometime, you might just learn something. Health class was never like this!