Penile Cancer - Know Risk Factors Of It!

Penile cancer occurs when cancerous cells form on tissues of the penis.

If caught early, penile cancer is treatable. In early stages, a cancerous tumour can be removed with little or no damage to the penis. But if it is diagnosed late, a man may lose part of or all of his penis and sometimes his life too. Hence, it’s vital that you know more about this cancer.

But first, a small primer on the penis…

The penis has two types of erectile tissues, the spongy tissue that gets engorged with blood leading to an erection:

1. Corpora cavernosa: This tissue forms most of the penis.
2. Corpus spongiosum: This tissue forms a small portion of the penis. It also surrounds the urethra, a tube that transports urine and sperm to outside.

The erectile tissue comes wrapped in connective tissue and skin to form the organ.

Penile cancer is usually found on the ‘glans’ or tip of the penis, but can also occur on the shaft of the penis. Some of the common symptoms of penile cancer include sores and lumps on the penis, redness or irritation on the penis and blood discharge.

Factors that increase the risk of developing penile cancer

1. Infection with human papillomavirus (HPV): This virus causes cervical cancer in women. Unprotected skin-to-skin contact as well as unprotected sex with multiple partners, increases the risk of a man getting HPV infection.
2. Not being circumcised at birth: Circumcision, an operation in which a part or the entire foreskin is removed surgically is big protection from penile cancer. 
3. Phimosis: This is a condition in which the foreskin cannot be pulled back over the glans or tip of the penis.
4. Poor hygiene
5. AIDS
6. UV treatment for psoriasis
7. Use of tobacco: The chemicals in tobacco smoke lead to genetic changes in cells of the penis, thereby leading to cancer.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Detection and diagnosis are done using tests like a biopsy in which a small sample of tissue is removed from the penis and tested for abnormalities due to cancer.

The most common ways of treating penile cancer include surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

Chances of Survival

Treatment of penile cancer depends on what stage it is detected at and so is prognosis. The location and size of tumour, and whether cancer has just been diagnosed or has recurred also affect prognosis.

For stage I and II penile cancer or cancer that is limited only to the penis, the five-year survival rate is 85%.

The survival rate dips substantially if cancer is diagnosed after it has spread to surrounding tissues or lymph nodes in stage III or IV. The five-year survival rate is just about 59%.