Penis Cancer: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment and Cost

Penis cancer is a rare type of cancer that affects the male reproductive organ, the penis. It is most commonly found in men over the age of 50, but can occur in younger men as well.

There are numerous varieties of penile cancer, which are categorised based on the type of cells involved.The following are the types of penile cancer that are diagnosed most frequently:

• Squamous cell carcinoma: This subtype of penile cancer accounts for around 95% of all cases, making it the most common form of the disease. It begins to form in the top layers of the skin, known as the squamous, on the shaft or head, known as the glans, of the penis. In the event that it is not treated as soon as it is discovered, it may spread to other areas of the body, such as the lymph nodes or the lungs.
• Basal cell carcinoma: This is a less common type than squamous cell carcinoma, but it can still occur in areas where there is a lot of sun exposure, such as on the foreskin or shaft.
• Adenocarcinoma: This is a rare form that starts in glandular tissue and usually occurs on the foreskin or urethra opening at the tip (meatus) of penis. It can sometimes spread to other parts of body such as lymph nodes or lungs if left untreated for too long.
• Melanoma: This type affects pigment-producing cells called melanocytes and usually appears as dark spots on skin or foreskin. It can spread to other parts of the body through blood vessels or lymph vessels.

The exact cause of penis cancer is unknown, but factors such as age, smoking, and HPV infection are known to increase the risk.

Other potential risk factors include phimosis (tightness of the foreskin), poor hygiene, certain chronic skin conditions, and exposure to certain chemicals or radiation.

Penis cancer's most typical symptom is a change in the skin of the penis, such as one or more of the following:

• A lump or thickening on the penis
• A sore or ulcer on the penis that does not heal
• Redness, irritation, or an unusual discharge from the tip of the penis
• Alteration in the pigmentation of the skin on the penis
• Alteration in the form of the penis's head, also known as the glans.
• Other less common symptoms may include:
• Painful urination
• Difficulty urinating
• Blood in urine or semen
• Pain in your lower abdomen or groin area.

Preventing penis cancer can be done by avoiding factors that are known to increase the risk of developing the cancer. These include:

• Avoiding smoking and exposure to HPV (human papillomavirus)
• Practising safe sex
• Limiting sun exposure
• Maintaining good hygiene.
• Other preventive strategies include:
• Eating a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables
• Avoiding sexually transmitted infections
• Getting regular check-ups with a healthcare provider
• Performing self-exams to check for changes in the skin or other symptoms.

Diagnosis of penis cancer usually begins with a physical exam and medical history review. The doctor may then order certain tests to help diagnose the condition, such as a biopsy, imaging scans, or blood tests.

• Biopsy: A biopsy is the diagnostic procedure that is most frequently performed for penile cancer.During this procedure, your doctor will take a sample of suspicious tissue from your penis and send it to a lab for analysis. If abnormal cells are found, this confirms that you have penis cancer.
• Imaging Scans: Imaging scans can be used to detect any changes in the size or shape of your penis that might be caused by the presence of cancerous cells. These scans may include MRI or CT scans as well as ultrasound imaging or X-rays. These tests can also help identify any other abnormalities in your reproductive organs that might be associated with your diagnosis.
• Blood Tests: Blood tests can also be used to diagnose prostate cancer because they can detect abnormally high levels of PSA (prostate specific antigen), which is produced by prostate cells and can indicate the presence of prostate cancer.

Penis cancer can cause a variety of complications, including:

• Erectile dysfunction
• Urinary incontinence
• lymphedema
• Physical disfigurement

In addition to the physical effects of the disease, penis cancer can also cause emotional and psychological distress in men due to body image issues and lowered self-esteem.

• Drink herbal teas such as chamomile tea, ginger tea, green tea or peppermint tea to boost your immune system.
• Apply a paste made of sesame oil with honey on the affected areas daily for 10-15 minutes to reduce inflammation and promote healing of the damaged tissues caused by cancer cells in the penis area.
• Take a warm bath with Epsom salt twice per week to soothe inflamed tissues caused by cancer cells in the penis area and improve circulation of vital nutrients throughout the body.

• When coping with penis cancer, maintaining a healthy diet is one of the most crucial things you can do.
• Foods that are strong in antioxidants, such as fruits and vegetables, lean meats, whole grains, nuts and seeds, should be included in your diet.
• Also include foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals such as dark leafy greens, fish, legumes and fortified grains.

• It is important to avoid foods that can increase inflammation and put stress on the body when dealing with Penis Cancer.
• Various types of processed meats (such as bacon, hot dogs, and lunch meats)
• foods that have been fried
• Refined carbohydrates (such as white bread, white rice, and pastries)
• Products of the dairy industry with a high percentage of fat (such as whole milk, cheese, and ice cream)
• Trans fats (found in processed snack foods, margarine, and some baked goods)

The most common treatment for penis cancer is surgery to remove the tumour or part of the penis. The most common surgical treatments for penis cancer are:

• Laser excision or ablation: Laser excision or ablation is a method of treating penis cancer that involves using a laser to remove the cancerous tissue. The laser beam is focused on the tumour, which is then quickly evaporated by the heat of the laser.
• Wide local excision: Wide local excision is a surgical procedure that removes cancer from the skin or other organs. A perimeter of healthy tissue is left around the area after the malignant tissue is removed by the surgeon during the surgery.
• Partial or total penectomy: The removal of all or part of the penis can be accomplished by surgical procedures known as partial or complete penectomies. In situations of severe penile cancer, substantial damage, infection, or other medical issues, it may be essential. Other medical conditions include:
• Lymphadenectomy (lymph node removal): A lymphadenectomy is a type of surgical treatment that involves the removal of lymph nodes in addition to other tissues that are around them.In most cases, it is utilised in the treatment of cancer, particularly penile cancer.
• Skin grafting: A skin transplant is a surgical procedure that includes the transfer of healthy skin from one area of the body to another. Skin grafts may be a possibility for certain people with penile cancer.. In the process of skin grafting, healthy skin is harvested from a region of the body that is not affected by the condition being treated and sewn onto the damaged part of the penis.
• Reconstructive surgery: Reconstructive surgery is a type of surgery that is used to restore or improve the function of tissue and organs that have been damaged by trauma, congenital defects, or disease. In the case of penis cancer, reconstructive surgery can be used to repair damage due to the removal of cancerous tissue. This may involve reconstructing the urethra, using skin grafts, using artificial material to fill in any gaps left by tumor removal, and restoring normal blood flow.
• Radiation Therapy: Penis cancer can be treated with a non-invasive method called radiation treatment. This therapy utilises beams of high energy to specifically target and kill tumour cells while protecting the healthy tissue that is surrounding the area being treated.
• Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is the practice of employing medications to eradicate rapidly dividing cells in the body, such as those that are responsible for some forms of cancer, such as penile cancer.
• Hormone Therapy: In situations when testosterone levels are high, which can feed the growth of cancer cells, hormone therapy is employed as a treatment option. This medication is used to assist limit the quantity of testosterone that is produced by the body in an effort to either halt or significantly impede the progression of cancer cells.

Urologists have the most training and experience to identify and treat penile cancer than any other medical specialist.

Urologists are trained to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the urinary tract as well as the male reproductive organs, which includes the penis.

• The specific chemotherapeutic medications that are utilised in the treatment of penile cancer change according to the kind and stage of the disease being treated.Commonly used chemotherapeutic drugs for penis cancer include cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil, and paclitaxel.
• Your doctor may also prescribe additional chemotherapy medications, such as gemcitabine or vinblastine, depending on your specific case.

• The amount of time it takes to recover from Penis Cancer depends on the individual, the type and stage of their cancer, and the treatment they receive.
• In general, the amount of time needed to recover might range anywhere from a few weeks to several months or even longer. The length of time it takes to recover could possibly be longer.
• During this period, patients may need to make lifestyle changes and manage side effects while they heal.
• It is important for those affected by Penis Cancer to work closely with their healthcare team to ensure that they receive the best care possible during their recovery period.

In most cases, treatments are able to remove or destroy the cancer cells and prevent them from spreading.

However, there is a risk that some cancer cells may remain in the area or spread to other parts of the body.

The cost of Penis Cancer treatments in India can vary greatly depending on the type of treatment, the location, and the provider. Generally speaking, costs can range from around Rs. 10,000 to upwards of Rs. 1 lakh or more.

• Common side effects of treatment for penis cancer include:
• fatigue
• nausea and vomiting
• pain or tenderness in the area where treatment was given
• erectile dysfunction
• urinary problems, such as difficulty urinating or frequent urinationreduced fertility or infertility.

If you are suffering from any complications relating to Penis Cancer then you should consult a doctor nearby as they can cause complications like erectile dysfunction, urinary incontinence, lymphedema etc. in which treatment course can range from a few months to years depending on the severity of the situation.