Carcinoma of the penis (patient information): Difference between revisions

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*In general, cancer treatment includes:
*In general, cancer treatment includes:


:*'''Chemotherapy:''' uses medicines to kill cancer cells
:*'''Chemotherapy:''' use of anticancer drugs to shrink or kill cancerous cells and reduce cancer spreading to other parts of the body


:*'''Radiation:''' using high powered [[x-rays]] to kill cancer cells
:*'''Radiation:''' use of high-energy radiation to kill or shrink cancer cells, tumors, and non-cancerous diseases


:*'''Surgery:''' cuts out and removes the cancer
:*'''Surgery:''' the most common treatment for penile cancer, cuts out and removes the cancer


*If the tumor is small and near the tip of the [[penis]], surgery may be done to remove only the cancerous part of the penis. This is called a partial [[penectomy]].
*If the tumor is small and near the tip of the [[penis]], surgery may be done to remove only the cancerous part of the penis. This is called a partial [[penectomy]].

Latest revision as of 15:56, 2 April 2019

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Carcinoma of the penis

Overview

What are the symptoms?

What are the causes?

Who is at highest risk?

Diagnosis

When to seek urgent medical care?

Treatment options

Where to find medical care for Carcinoma of the penis?

Prevention

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

Possible complications

Carcinoma of the penis On the Web

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FDA on Carcinoma of the penis

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Directions to Hospitals Treating Carcinoma of the penis

Risk calculators and risk factors for Carcinoma of the penis

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]: Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Swathi Venkatesan, M.B.B.S.[2]

Overview

Cancer of the penis is cancer that starts in the penis, an organ that makes up part of the male reproductive system.

What are the symptoms of Carcinoma of the penis?

  • Genital lesions on the penis
  • Painless sore on penis (occasionally, the lesion may cause pain)
  • Penis pain and bleeding from the penis (may occur with advanced disease)

What causes Carcinoma of the penis?

  • The exact cause is unknown.
  • Smegma, a cheese-like, foul-smelling substance found under the foreskin of the penis may increase the risk of penis cancer.

Diagnosis

  • The health care provider will perform a physical exam, which may reveal a non-tender lesion that looks like a pimple or wart. This growth is typically near the end of the penis.
  • A biopsy of the growth is needed to determine if it is cancer.

When to seek urgent medical care?

Call your health care provider if symptoms of penis cancer develop.

Treatment options

Treatment choices will depend on these things:

  • Size and location of the tumor in the penis
  • Results of lab tests
  • Stage or extent of the cancer
  • Your general health and personal preferences
  • In general, cancer treatment includes:
  • Chemotherapy: use of anticancer drugs to shrink or kill cancerous cells and reduce cancer spreading to other parts of the body
  • Radiation: use of high-energy radiation to kill or shrink cancer cells, tumors, and non-cancerous diseases
  • Surgery: the most common treatment for penile cancer, cuts out and removes the cancer
  • If the tumor is small and near the tip of the penis, surgery may be done to remove only the cancerous part of the penis. This is called a partial penectomy.
  • For more severe tumors, total removal of the penis (total penectomy) is often necessary. A new opening will be created in the groin area to allow urine to exit the body. This procedure is called a urethrostomy.
  • Radiation therapy is often recommended in combination with surgery. A type of radiation therapy called external beam therapy is often used. This method delivers radiation to the penis from outside the body. External beam radiation therapy is usually performed 5 days a week for 6 - 8 weeks.

Where to find medical care for Carcinoma of the penis?

Directions to Hospitals Treating Carcinoma of the penis

Prevention of Carcinoma of the penis

  • Circumcision may decrease the risk. Men who are not circumcised should be taught at an early age the importance of cleaning beneath the foreskin as part of their personal hygiene.
  • Good personal hygiene and safer sexual practices, such as abstinence, limiting the number of sexual partners, and use of condoms to prevent HPV infection, may decrease the risk of developing penile cancer.

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

The outcome can be good with early diagnosis and treatment. The 5-year survival rate for penile cancers is 65%. Urination and sexual function can often be maintained even when a significant portion of the penis is removed.

Possible complications

Cancer of the penis frequently spreads to other parts of the body (metastasis) early in the course of the disease.

Support Groups

Joining a support group where members share common experiences and problems may help relieve the stress associated with diagnosis and treatment of penile cancer.

Sources

Medlineplus