All About Penile Cancer

What is the Penile Cancer?

Penile cancer is an unnatural growth of cells on the skin or in the tissues of the penis. 95% of penile cancers are squamous cell carcinoma.

This is slow-growing cancer in its early stage and the patient doesn’t cause any symptoms in this stage. The symptoms can be noticed in an advanced stage.

Many patients also ignore the symptoms and try to treat themselves with skin creams and medications. Till the patient get a consultation from the doctor the situation gets worsen. A delay in diagnosis and therapy not only affects the likelihood of survival but also limits the ability to retain a functioning and cosmetically satisfactory result.

What are the symptoms of penile cancer?

An area of skin becoming thicker.
Changes in skin colour.
A lump.
An ulcer (sore) that might bleed.
A reddish, velvety rash under the foreskin.
Small, crusty bumps.
Flat, bluish-brown growths.
Smelly discharge (fluid) or bleeding under the foreskin.

What are the risk factors of penile cancer?

Infections like HIV /AIDS, HPV, genital warts,
Poor hygiene
Balanitis and penile injury-inflammation of the foreskin, and glans penis has three times increased risk of penile cancer
Phimosis-unable to retract foreskin can be a risk factor in the development of penile cancer.
Others—Age(rare seen <50yr), Lichen sclerosis, Tobacco chewing, exposure to UV etc

How to prevent Penile Cancer?

HPV vaccines reduce the risk of Penile Cancers
The use of condoms is thought to be protective against HPV related penile cancers
Genital Hygiene habits like washing the penis, the scrotum, and foreskin, daily with water, can prevent balanitis and penile cancer.
Avoid smoking
Circumcision in childhood may provide partial protection against penile cancer.

What is the treatment of penile cancer?

Several treatment options include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, biological therapy.

You should visit a urologist near you if you any of the symptoms of penile cancer. Early detection of penile cancer increases the chances of survival.

Frequently Asked Questions About Penile Cancer

1) What are the early signs of penile cancer?

Thickening of skin on the penis, change in color, or a new lump or sore on the penis that bleeds can be signs of cancer. If you see these signs on your penis, you should seek medical attention as soon as you can because this cancer can be treated if detected early enough.

2) What causes penile cancer?

Penile cancer occurs when abnormal cell growth occurs in a man’s penis. Causes or risk factors include having a human papilloma virus infection, poor genital hygiene, genital warts, untreated phimosis, or smoking. A weak immune system from a human immunodeficiency virus or acquired immune deficiency syndrome infection or having a history of inflammation can also cause cancer in a man’s penis.

3) Can penile cancer be prevented?

Preventing this cancer can be achieved by practicing good genital hygiene, using a condom when having intercourse, having a human papilloma virus vaccination, or quitting smoking. In young boys or boys in their preteen years, having a circumcision can offer a certain level of protection against this cancer because it can lower a boy’s chances of developing this cancer when he grows up.

4) How is penile cancer treated?

Penile cancer can be treated by having a surgical procedure, through radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or biological therapy. The choice of therapy depends on where exactly in the penis cancer develops or at what stage cancer occurs in a man’s penis.

5) Is penile cancer treatable or curable?

Yes, this cancer can be treated or cured if detected early enough because this cancer can be treated or cured when detected early enough.

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Dr. Mangesh Patil is a renowned Urologist, and is trained in Endourology and Robotic Surgery , with professional experience of more than 10 years .