Penile cancer (Penis Cancer) is actually very rare, though the threat of contracting this disease is enough to scare many brave souls. More cases of men contracting breast cancer are reported annually across the world than penile cancer. Penile cancer affects the skin along the penis and the head. It is very easily visible to the naked eye and so easily spotted in the early stages; this facilitates early treatment. If you are vigilant, it can be very easily detected early on.
Symptoms and Stages of Penile Cancer
The first stage of the cancer shows a small sore or abnormal skin tone or growth on the tip of the penis. Other symptoms include lesions, discharges and bleeding.
The second stage shows the cancer spreading to the inner tissues and the glans. The next stage has the cancer spreading to the lymph nodes and groin. The fourth and final stage has the cancer spreading throughout the penis and beyond.
Causes of Penile Cancer
The general contention is that penile cancer is more common in men over 50, who have not been circumscribed and who do not keep the area under the foreskin clean; the HPV (Human papillomavirus) that is a sexually transmitted virus that affects humans has also been linked to penile cancer. Smegma, a thick greasy formation that happens due to poor hygiene has also been linked to penile cancer.
Diagnosis of Penile Cancer
One danger particularly associated with and peculiar to penile cancer is that the cancer very easily spreads to the lymph nodes because of proximity. This is very dangerous as lymph nodes are the ones that help the body to fight infections. If the doctor suspects cancer, he might do a biopsy and there are a few ways to do this, namely incisional biopsy, excisional biopsy and FNA – fine needle aspiration. Penile cancer is relatively rare; reports indicate only 1500 cases in the USA and 400 cases in the UK annually.
Types of Penile Cancer
Epidermoid or squamous cell cancer is the most common penile cancer. It is called non-melanoma and can develop anywhere on the penis though usually it is found on the foreskin.
Basal cell penile cancer is so named because it is found under the squamous cells, on the basal cells. This is also a non-melanoma cancer and is rare, amounting to less than 2% of all penile cancers.
The deepest layer of the skin contains melanocyte which produces the melanin that is responsible for our skin color. This is the most gravest of the penile cancers.
Sarcoma is a development of the cancer in the blood vessels and muscles that connect the penis to the body and are very rare at hardly 1% occurrence.
Treatment of Penile Cancer
The treatment depends on the cancerous growth area, the size and stage of development of the disease. The general health of the patient is also a contributing factor to the decision of the treatment approach. As with other cancers, treatment options include surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. If the cancer is contained or is in its initial stages, the penis can be saved or if some portions need to be removed, and then reconstructed. If the cancer is in its initial stages and a small area on the surface is affected, then a simple circumcision can be enough to contain the cancerous growth.
Surgical options include, depending on the stage of the cancer, circumcision, partial removal of the affected areas and the outer skin, and the areas close-by to prevent spreading; this is called wide local excision. Depending on the spread of the disease, the lymph nodes might need to be removed. In all these options reconstruction of the penis is possible.
In extreme cases, where the cancer has spread to a large portion of the penile area the entire penis might need to be removed, called a penectomy. Even after a penectomy, reconstruction is possible. Different forms of radiotherapy are used these days to treat penile cancer depending on the location, the growth and the stage of the disease. Sometimes, small radioactive wires are implanted and removed after a few days. This treatment is called brachytherapy. This is used when a small area needs intense radiation.
The after effects of the cancer treatments like radiation and chemotherapy can be devastating and many may need counseling. Loss of hair, blackening of skin, nausea, constricting of the penis may all result due to these treatments. The latest in the treatment of cancer is the PDT – photodynamic therapy which involves a laser beam and a light sensitive drug to destroy cancer cells locally. This is a relatively new and emerging treatment and it is yet to be a proven method for penile cancer treatment.
So if you are vigilant and follow proper hygiene, it is easily prevented and at worst, easily spotted. It is your duty to regularly monitor yourself and be aware of any changes that your body is going through to facilitate early diagnosis.
