Penile Cancer: Rare But Aggressive Cancer

Penile cancer, also called penile carcinoma, is a rare form of cancer that originates in the skin cells of the penis. It occurs mainly in older men and is often aggressive in nature.

Causes of penile cancer

The main factors that contribute to the development of penile cancer are:

• Human papillomavirus (HPV): About 40% of penile cancer cases are associated with HPV infections. This virus is often sexually transmitted.
• Poor hygiene: Failure to properly clean the penis can lead to inflammation and infection, which increases the risk of penile cancer.
• Lichen sclerosus: This chronic skin disease causes itching and inflammation of the foreskin and glans, which may increase the risk of penile cancer.
• Smoking: Tobacco use is a known risk factor for several types of cancer, including penile cancer.
• Tight foreskin (phimosis): Men with a foreskin that is too tight or narrow have a higher risk of penile cancer due to the increased chance of inflammation and infection.
• Older age: Penile cancer is more common in older men.

In other words, there are some preventive measures that can help reduce the risk:

• Good penis hygiene.
• Vaccination against the human papillomavirus (HPV).
• Quit smoking.

Symptoms of penile cancer

Symptoms of penile cancer can vary, but common signs include:

• A painless swelling or lump on the penis.
• Changes in the skin of the penis, such as discoloration or thickening.
• An ulcer that does not heal.
• Bleeding or discharge under the foreskin.
• Pain and difficulty urinating.

Also read: 11 causes of testicular complaints and how to treat them

Diagnosis of penile cancer

If penile cancer is suspected, the doctor will perform a physical examination and possibly take a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. Imaging tests such as MRI or CT scan can show whether the cancer has spread.

Different stages of penile cancer

Penile cancer is classified into different stages based on the size of the tumor and the extent of its spread. Here are the main stages:

• Stage 0 (PeIN): This is the precursor to penile cancer, also called penile intraepithelial neoplasia (PeIN), PIN, Bowen or Queyrat. The cancer cells are confined to the upper layer of the skin and have not yet spread.
• Stage I: The cancer is confined to the skin of the penis, with no spread to lymph nodes or other parts of the body. The tumor is small and is only in the tissue of the penis.
• Stage II: The tumor grows deeper into the penis, but has not yet spread to lymph nodes. The cancer may invade the urethra or the erectile tissue of the penis.
• Stage III: The cancer has spread to the lymph nodes in the groin. There may be larger or multiple tumors in the penis, and the disease may have spread further into the penis.
• Stage IV: The cancer has spread to other parts of the body, such as the pelvic lymph nodes or other organs. This is the most advanced stage of penile cancer and has the worst prognosis.

The staging helps physicians determine the most appropriate treatment and estimate the patient’s prognosis.

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Penile cancer treatment

• Surgery: Removal of the tumor is the most common treatment. Nowadays, more organ-sparing surgery is performed due to the centralization of care.
• Radiation therapy: Use of radiation to destroy cancer cells.
• Chemotherapy: Administering drugs that kill cancer cells or stop their growth.

Also read: Prostate cancer: symptoms and treatment

Survival rates for penile cancer

The chances of survival for penile cancer depend greatly on the stage at which the cancer is discovered and whether it has spread. When penile cancer is diagnosed at an early stage and has not yet spread, the outlook is usually good. On average, 75 out of 100 men are still alive five years after diagnosis. For advanced penile cancer, the chances of survival are considerably lower. The five-year survival drops to 18% if the cancer has spread

Also read: Cancer patients’ survival rates are increasing faster

Sources:
https://www.uzleuven.be
https://www.mmc.nl
https://www.kanker.nl
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