If you are looking for answers to questions like what is penile cancer or how does penile cancer appear and how to know if one has penile cancer, this blog will be of great benefit to you. You will also gain knowledge about penile cancer treatment and follow up.
Table of Contents
Feel free to skip ahead if one topic catches your eye:
- What Is Penile Cancer?
- Signs and Symptoms of Penile Cancer
- Stages of penile cancer
- Diagnosis
- Treatment Options
What Is Penile Cancer?
Penile Cancer is a cancer of male genital organ, penis or on the skin overlying the penis. It is usually a slow-growing tumour which appears a growing wart or ulcer or nodule. There may be accompanied bleeding from the growth and occasionally difficulty in passing urine. Alongside the above presentation, the patient may harbour swellings in the groin region also known as lymph nodes.
Most of the tumours are of the following types
- Squamous cell: it generally starts under or on the foreskin but may also appear on other penis parts. It accounts for more than 90% forms of Ca penis
It is further classified on the basis of grades i.e Low Grade, Moderate and High grade
- Other slow-growing infiltrative tumours like Verrucous Cancer
- Others like Basal cell carcinoma: This form of cancer starts deep in the skin. It grows slowly and usually doesn’t spread to other body parts.
- Or Melanoma: This is highly aggressive usually presents as a change in an existing pigmented mole which may start bleeding or enlarging in size
- Or Sarcoma: This form of cancer starts in tissues such as the blood vessels, muscle, and fat.
Signs and Symptoms of Penile Cancer
Changes in the appearance of penile skin are the most common signs of penile cancer. These changes may show up on the penis tip, on the shaft, or on the foreskin of uncircumcised men.
- Small crusty bumps or a rash on the penis
- Changes in skin colour or thickness
- Growths that appear bluish-brown
- A lump on the penis
- Swelling at the penis end
- A sore on the penis that may bleed
- A bad-smelling discharge underneath the foreskin
- Lumps under the groin skin
These penile cancer symptoms and signs don’t always suggest penile cancer and may be a result of an allergic reaction or infection. However, it is important not to ignore these penile cancer symptoms and bring them to the attention of a Urology Specialist Doctor in Delhi.
Predisposing factors leading to penile Cancer
Penile cancer is common in men who:
- Have premalignant conditions like Leukoplakia, Erythroplakia, Bowenoid papulosis, or Lichen sclerosis
- Are diagnosed with the human papillomavirus (HPV)
- Use tobacco products
- Maintain poor personal hygiene
- Have more than one sexual partner
- Are over the age of 60 years
- Are diagnosed with a weak immune system due to HIV or AIDS
- Are diagnosed with a condition known as phimosis that makes the foreskin tough to clean and tight
- Have undergone psoriasis treatment with ultraviolet light and psoralen
Stages of penile cancer
Stage 0: Or Carcinoma in situ
Stage 0 is sub-classified into 2 sub-stages: 0is and 0a.
In the first stage (penile intraepithelial neoplasia), abnormal cells are found on the male sexual organ’s surface skin. Growth formations are stimulated by these cells, which may go cancerous and then they may spread to surrounding normal tissues.
In the second stage (noninvasive localised squamous cell carcinoma), squamous cell cancer can be noticed underneath the skin surface of the male sexual organ.
Stage I:
Cancer is yet to form and spread to the tissue underneath the skin of the male sexual organ. It is yet to extend its reach to the nerves, lymph vessels, or the blood vessels. When seen with a microscope, the malignant cells continue to appear as normal cells.
Stage II:
This stage is further sub-classified into IIA and IIB sub-stages.
In the first stage, cancer has managed to spread just underneath the skin of the male sexual organ. It has extended its spread to reach nerves, lymph vessels, or the blood vessels. In the second stage, cancer has managed to extend its reach to the layer of the connective tissue that is surrounding the corpus cavernosum.
Stage III:
This stage is classified into two sub-stages: IIIA and IIIB.
In the first stage, cancer has managed to spread to a single or two lymph nodes on a side of the groin. In the second stage, cancer has managed to extend its reach to three or more lymph nodes on a single or both sides of the groin.
Stage IV:
In this stage, cancer has extended its reach to a single or multiple lymph nodes of the pelvic or cancer has spread through the outer lining of the nearby tissues’ lymph nodes. Cancer has managed to spread to tissues surrounding the male sexual organ such as the pubic bone, scrotum, or the prostate.
Diagnosis
The Best Urologist in Delhi will have a word with the patient and ascertain the exact details of the symptoms of penile cancer. Patient’s individual medical and family history will be evaluated before the penile cancer diagnosis is completed. The doctor may evaluate the genital area to ascertain any signs and symptoms of penile cancer. Thereafter, the doctor may recommend imaging tests like Computed tomography, Magnetic resonance imaging, sound waves, or X-rays and a biopsy.
Treatment Options
Today, there are various diagnostic tests for penile cancer. Before a treatment procedure is recommended by the doctor, a biopsy to ascertain growths of all lesions is recommended for identifying the exact stage and treating the health condition.
Generally, the biopsy is a wedge biopsy that involves only a sample of the tissue part. However, the biopsy may involve excision in which the complete tissue is involved and thereafter sent for historical evaluation.
Surgery
It is the most common form of treatment for all penile cancer stages.
The extent of surgery may vary from an extended biopsy to Partial excision of Penis to a large scale surgery (radical Penectomy) involving all the tissues involved and the abdominal nodes as well
With the help of a surgical robot, the surgery can be expeditiously done
It is known as ROBOTIC VEIL (Video endoscopic Ilioinguinal Lymphadenectomy) and PELVIC LYMPHADENECTOMY
Radiation therapy
During this therapy, high-energy x-rays or other forms of radiation are used to prevent cancerous cells from growing or killing the cells.
This is usually done when the patient is not fit to tolerate the procedure or after the definitive surgery is done
Chemotherapy
This cancer treatment may be recommended for stopping the growth of cancerous cells, either by stopping them from dividing or by killing the cells. This may be needed when the disease is too advanced
At Dr Vikram’s Clinic, you will get the best penile cancer diagnosis, treatment options, suggestions, and care for all your concerns.
Recovery
Patients may take around 4-10 weeks to fully recover after a penile cancer treatment procedure. The 5-year relative survival rate for penile cancer for localised SEER stage is 82 per cent and the survival rate is 50 per cent for the regional SEER stage.
It is important to remember here that the survival rate may differ from one patient to another depending on a variety of factors such as the type of procedure performed, the response of the patient’s body to medications and treatment options, the success rate of the cancer clinic, etc.
Takeaway
Penile cancer is a severe health condition that can be treated effectively. However, it is important to act quickly if you notice penile cancer symptoms or already have a penile cancer diagnosis and would like to have a word with a penile cancer treatment specialist.
Call Dr. Vikram’s Clinic now to make an appointment and know more about the possible treatment options.
References
1^ Signs and Symptoms of Penile Cancer | Webmd.com | January 11, 2021
2^ Stages of penile cancer | Cancer.gov | January 11, 2021
