Source: INCA
Penile cancer has a higher incidence in men over 50, although it can also affect younger people. In Brazil, this type of tumor represents 2% of all types of cancer that affect men, being more frequent in the North and Northeast regions.
When diagnosed at an early stage, penile cancer has a high cure rate. However, more than half of the patients take up to 1 year after the first injuries appear to seek medical attention.
Prevention
One of the main ways to prevent penile cancer is to clean the organ daily with soap and water. Experts warn that it is essential to teach children the habits of intimate hygiene from an early age.
Phimosis surgery, which removes the skin from the foreskin, is also one of the prevention factors for facilitating the proper cleaning of the head of the penis. The procedure is known to be very simple and to be performed in childhood.
Another main point is the use of condoms in any sexual relationship, since the practice with different partners without the use of condoms increases the risk of developing the disease. Studies have also linked penile cancer with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection.
Symptoms
The most common manifestation of penile cancer is a wound, or ulcer, or a swelling located in the glans, foreskin or body of the penis. The presence of one of these signs, associated with a white secretion (smegma), may be indicative of the disease. In such cases, it is necessary to consult a specialist. In addition to the tumor on the penis, the presence of inguinal ganglia (tongue in the groin) can be a sign of disease progression.
Treatment
The choice of treatment for penile cancer will depend on the stage of the disease and the location of the tumor. The options may vary between surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. In many cases, a combination of these treatments occurs.
Surgical indication is the most common treatment for penile cancer. With early diagnosis, it is almost always possible to avoid amputation of the penis in order to maintain sexual function, appearance and the ability to urinate while standing.
If the tumor is located in the foreskin, circumcision can be performed to remove both the cancer and the surrounding normal tissue, to prevent cancer cells from proliferating. In advanced cases, total amputation of the organ can be performed.