What is penile cancer?
Penile cancer
develops when malignant cells in your penis grow out of control. Your penis is
a rod-shaped reproductive organ that allows you to pee and have sex. Its main
parts include the rod-like part (shaft) that extends from your low belly to the
tip of your penis, called the head, or glans. If you’re uncircumcised, a layer
of skin called the foreskin covers the head. If you’re not circumcised, the
head of your penis is exposed.
Cancer can form anywhere in your penis, but it most commonly
starts on the head or foreskin (if you’re uncircumcised). The most common type of penile cancer appears in the
squamous cells, which are flat skin cells. This type of cancer typically starts
in the glands at the tip of the penis or on the foreskin of uncircumcised men.
Squamous
cell carcinoma tends to spread slowly, and it is usually easy to treat
when doctors catch it in the early stages.
Less
common types of penile cancer include:
- Verrucous
carcinoma: A growth that resembles a large genital wart.
- Carcinoma
in situ (CIS): The earliest stage of squamous cell cancer
that has not yet penetrated deeper into the penis.
- Melanoma:
A type of skin cancer that can form on the penis.
- Basal
cell carcinoma: Another type of skin cancer that can develop
on the penis.
- Adenocarcinoma:
A rare type of cancer that forms in the sweat glands of the penis.
- Sarcoma:
A very rare form of penile cancer that affects the connective tissue,
muscles, and blood vessels in the penis.
Symptoms of Penile Cancer.
Changes in penis skin are
the most common symptom of penile cancer. They can show up on the foreskin of
uncircumcised men, on the penis tip (the glans), or on the shaft.
Symptoms of penile cancer
include:
- Changes in skin thickness or colour
- A rash or small crusty bumps on
your penis; it can look like an unhealed scab.
- Growths that look bluish-brown
- A lump on your penis
- A bad-smelling discharge underneath your
foreskin
- A sore on your penis, which may bleed
- Swelling at the end of your penis
- Lumps under the skin of your groin
These signs don’t always mean
penile cancer. You might have an infection or an allergic reaction. But it’s
important to tell your doctor about any unusual symptoms on or near your penis
right away.
What are the risk factors for penile cancer?
The most significant risk factor for penile cancer is age. Not being circumcised when you were an infant
may also increase your risk. Circumcision removes the foreskin of your penis,
exposing the head. Many risk factors related to penile cancer are likely
related to having a foreskin.
Is penile cancer contagious?
Penile cancer isn’t contagious. However,
HPV — one of the risk factors for penile cancer — is transmitted through
skin-to-skin contact (most often) during unprotected sex. HPV spreads through
vaginal sex, oral sex and anal sex.
Penile Cancer Treatment
The type of treatment will depend on the stage of
cancer. When a doctor diagnoses penile cancer in the early stages, treatment
may involve one or more of the following:
- Laser therapy to cut away the affected area
- Medicated creams
- Cryotherapy to freeze off affected areas
- Circumcision, in cases where the cancer is in the foreskin
- Mohs’s surgery, or the removal of the affected layers of skin
If the cancer has reached a more advanced stage, a
doctor is likely to choose a different treatment method, such as:
- Removal of part or all of the lymph nodes
- Radiation
- Chemotherapy
- Penectomy, which is surgery to remove part or all of the penis
However, there is a lack of research on the survival
rates for penile cancer because the disease is relatively rare. A doctor can
help determine an individual’s likelihood of successful treatment and survival.
Early detection leads to the best outcome. The
treatment options at the early stages are less invasive and allow for a faster
recovery. Anyone who experiences any signs of penile cancer should speak to a
doctor as soon as possible.
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Penile Cancer Causes
Penile Cancer Treatment
Penile Cancer Treatment in Navi Mumbai
Penile Cancer Treatment in Mumbai
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