What is Penile Cancer ?

The external male reproductive organ develops cancer that manifests as penile cancer, which is a rare and deadly form of cancer. The cancer begins in the skin of the penis or its inner lining, which then spreads to adjacent lymph nodes and other body tissues. It is a health risk in developing countries despite its low incidence.

The penis serves a vital function for both urine elimination and reproduction. The penis functions as a dual-purpose organ that incurs both physical and psychological challenges when it develops diseases. Penile cancer usually starts as a tiny lesion that develops beyond its initial appearance. The initial stage of the disease transforms into a severe medical condition that needs specific medical treatment.

Early diagnosis is important in treating penile cancer. At this early stage, the cancer is easily manageable, allowing surgeons to maintain the integrity of most parts of the organ. The introduction of more effective diagnostic methods, surgical management, radiation therapy, and systemic therapies has enabled a positive prognosis for patients.

Doctors who specialize in urology, oncology, radiology, and supportive care work together in multiple disciplines to deliver effective treatment and long-lasting care for patients with penile cancer.

What structures of the penis can be affected by cancer?

Penile cancer requires knowledge of basic penile anatomy for proper understanding. The penis consists of several important components:

The penis consists of several important components:

• Glans penis - The penis's round tip
• Shaft - the cylindrical portion connecting the glans to the body
• Foreskin (prepuce) - the fold of skin that covers the glans in uncircumcised men
• Urethra - the tube that one's body uses to expel semen and urine
• Erectile tissues - specialized tissues that allow the penis to become erect during sexual arousal

Most penile cancers begin in the skin cells covering the penis, especially on the glans or under the foreskin. The cancer begins as a small lesion, which will expand and spread if not treated. Penile cancer can develop from different types of cells within the penis. The most common types include the following.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Squamous cell carcinoma accounts for about 90-95% of all penile cancers. The disease originates from flat skin cells that compose the skin and internal lining of the penis. Squamous cell carcinoma starts with slow growth but can progress to tissue invasion and lymph node enlargement in the groin.

Carcinoma in Situ

The disease starts with superficial skin cells, which will spread to the skin surface until it reaches its final stage.

The two examples of penile diseases include Bowen disease and erythroplasia of Queyrat, which produce velvety red patches on the penis.

Melanoma

Melanoma develops from pigment-producing cells called melanocytes. The type of cancer that affects the penis exists in rare cases but has aggressive behavior, which enables it to spread through the body.

Basal Cell Carcinoma

One type of skin cancer that grows slowly is basal cell carcinoma, which spreads only in rare cases to other parts of the body. The condition appears in rare cases on the penis, but some people who have the condition will experience it.

Sarcoma

Sarcomas arise from connective tissues such as blood vessels, muscle, or fat. The tumors that exist in the penis, which grow at an extremely low frequency, will develop into rapid growth.

What are the Risk Factors for Penile Cancer?

There are several factors that usually enhance the risk of developing penile cancer. Identifying risk factors helps develop methods for both disease prevention and early detection.

• Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

Infection: Some strains of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) pose an incredible risk for penile cancer. An ongoing HPV infection leads to cellular abnormalities in the penis, which may eventually develop into cancer.

• Uncircumcised Men

Uncircumcised men are more likely to get penile cancer than other men because they might lack the habit of cleaning underneath the foreskin. Uncircumcised men often experience moist conditions under their foreskins, which increases the risk of infections that may eventually turn malignant.

• Poor Genital Hygiene

Accumulation of smegma, a substance made of dead skin cells and oils, can irritate the skin under the foreskin and contribute to inflammation.

• Smoking

Tobacco use results in multiple cancers, which include penile cancer. The harmful substances present in tobacco products can result in cell destruction, which subsequently raises the probability of developing cancer.

• Phimosis

Phimosis is a medical disorder where there is difficulty in pulling the foreskin back from the head of the penis. As a result of phimosis, the skin frequently becomes irritated, leading to infection.

• Chronic Inflammation or Infection

Ongoing irritation and penile infections heighten the likelihood that cancerous changes will develop.

• Age

Men who are 50 years old or older carry a greater risk of developing penile cancer, although younger men can also develop this disease.

What are the signs and symptoms of Penile Cancer?

After identifying risk factors, it is crucial to recognize the symptoms that may signal penile cancer. Symptoms can vary based on stage and location.

The common signs and symptoms include:

• Changes in the Skin of the Penis

The following changes exist:

• Thickening of the skin
• A lump or growth on the penis
• Red or white patches
• A wart-like growth
• A sore that does not heal

• Ulcers or Lesions

The penis develops open sores or ulcers, which predominantly occur on the glans or beneath the foreskin.

• Discharge or Bleeding

Some patients may experience a foul-smelling discharge that involves bleeding from the affected area.

• Pain or Tenderness

The tumor's growth leads to pain, which affects nearby tissues.

• Swelling of the Penis

The advanced tumors cause swelling to develop in both the penis and the adjacent body areas.

• Enlarged Lymph Nodes in the Groin

Cancer spreads to the groin lymph nodes, causing swelling and lumps in this area.

All abnormal conditions and lesions of the penis should be urgently consulted by medical practitioners.

How do doctors diagnose Penile Cancer ?

Several procedures are involved in the diagnosis of penile cancer to identify whether the disease exists or not.

Medical History & Physical Examination

Doctors initiate the examination by assessing symptoms, sexual history, medical history, and lifestyle habits. A comprehensive physical examination is done on the penis and groin area.

Biopsy

The identification of penile cancer usually entails performing the biopsy test, wherein samples of the suspicious body part are taken and observed microscopically.

Imaging Tests

Imaging tests serve as diagnostic aids to evaluate cancer spread.

The following tests may be conducted:

• Ultrasound
• CT scans
• MRI scans
• PET scans

The tests determine cancer spread to both lymph nodes and remote body sites.

Lymph Node Evaluation

If medical professionals discover swollen lymph nodes in the groin area, then doctors proceed with additional testing and biopsies to confirm whether cancer has reached these nodes.

How is Penile Cancer staged ?

It shows how far the cancer has spread in the body. Doctors select appropriate medical treatment based on this information.

The staging system considers:

• Tumor size and depth
• Presence of cancer in the tissue surrounding the area
• Cancer in the nearby lymph nodes
• Presence of cancer in distant body regions

The presence of early cancer is confined to the surface tissues of the penis, whereas advanced cancer is present in deeper tissues and the entire body.

What treatment options exist for Penile Cancer ?

The choice of treatment for penile cancer depends on three factors: tumor stage, location, and type, and the patient's health status.

Surgery

The most frequently used method to treat penile cancer is surgical intervention. The surgical procedure aims to eliminate the tumor while safeguarding surrounding healthy tissues.

The surgical procedures available include:

• Local excision, which involves removing the tumor together with a small portion of adjacent healthy tissue
• Mohs micrographic surgery, which removes cancer layer by layer
• Partial penectomy, which involves removing a section of the penis
• Total penectomy, which involves the removal of the entire penis in advanced cases

If the lymphatic vessels in the groin area are malignant, the procedure involves surgically removing them.

Radiation Therapy

In addition to serving as an adjuvant following surgery and an alternative to surgery for tiny tumors, radiation treatment employs high-energy beams to eradicate cancer cells.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is one of the result-oriented medical treatments, completely based on pharmaceutical drugs/medications that kill cancer cells in the body. This kind of treatment is usually needed when the disease has gotten worse and spread to other organs.

Targeted Therapy & Immunotherapy

New treatment strategies focus on two areas: targeting cancer growth molecules and activating the immune system to eradicate cancer cells.

Advanced or recurrent penile cancer cases may receive these treatments as possible treatment options.

How can Penile Cancer be prevented through lifestyle habits?

The risk of penile cancer can be decreased through certain preventive measures, even though complete prevention of all cases is not possible.

The following measures should be implemented:

• Using protection during sexual activities helps to prevent HPV transmission.
• People need to keep their genital area clean at all times.
• People should refrain from smoking tobacco products.
• People should get vaccinated for HPV according to medical guidelines.

Doctors need to examine any penile lesions that remain after treatment and infections that last too long.

Detecting a disease early increases the chances of successful medical treatment.

What is the prognosis for Penile Cancer?

The prognosis of penile cancer depends on a combination of multiple factors, which include the following elements:

• Stage of cancer at diagnosis
• The tumor's dimensions and its specific location within the body
• The cancer extends to both lymph nodes and other body parts.
• The body indicates its receptiveness to the treatment process.

The medical fraternity has proved beyond a reasonable doubt that early diagnosis of penile cancer will result in successful treatment with positive survival rates. This means that advanced-stage treatment may necessitate further medical assistance.

The period after treatment requires patients to attend regular check-up appointments, which help doctors detect any signs of cancer returning.

Why choose Tender Palm Super Speciality Hospital for Penile Cancer Treatment in Lucknow, India?

Tender Palm Super-Speciality Hospital offers advanced Penile Cancer treatment in Lucknow, India, at an affordable cost. We have a team of experienced urological surgeons and oncology specialists who provide accurate diagnosis and both non-surgical and surgical treatment options including organ-sparing surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Our Urology and Oncology team has decades of experience in successfully treating Penile Cancer in Lucknow, India.

To seek an Expert consultation for Penile Cancer Treatment in Lucknow, India:

Call us at +91-9076972161
Email at care@tenderpalm.com

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