Penile Cancer

Causes and Risk Factors of Penile Cancer
Men who are circumcised at birth, a common practice in the U.S., almost never get penile cancer. If circumcision is performed at puberty, the incidence of cancer is slightly higher, and men who are circumcised as adults experience the same incidence of penile cancer as men who are never circumcised at all.
Cancer of the penis is, in a sense, a disease of poor hygiene. It is believed that the decaying cells of the undersurface of the foreskin (smegma) produce irritation leading to cancer.
In addition, there may be a relationship between venereal warts (condyloma acuminata) and penile cancer.
Recent studies have shown an association between certain types of the virus that causes condylomata (human papilloma virus types 16 and 18) and penile cancer in about one man in three who have penile cancer. These human papilloma virus (HPV) types are also found in women who have cancer in the uterine cervix.
It also has been shown that cancer of the uterine cervix may be higher in the sexual partners of men who are not circumcised.
Symptoms of Penile Cancer
Penile cancer typically begins as a raised lump or lesion on the penis. It can begin more as an area of unexplained change in the color of the skin.
Diagnosis of Penile Cancer
Like most cancers, this is diagnosed by means of a biopsy.
Treatment of Penile Cancer
Treatment is determined by the tumor size and staging. If the tumor is small and local, it can be treated surgically, chemically, or with radiation or laser without major damage to the appearance or function of the penis.
If it has penetrated the deeper penile tissues or is large, surgery is the preferred treatment for most men. Radiation is an option but results are less certain.
If the tumor has spread to lymph nodes, surgery or radiation is used. Chemotherapy is of little value in extensive carcinoma of the penis.