Symptoms of Penile Cancer : Symptoms, Stages, and Treatment

Penile Cancer Explained: Key Symptoms, Stages, and Treatment Approaches

Penile cancer is a rare yet dangerous condition attacking the male reproductive system. The normally functioning cells in the tissues of the penis become malignant, and this often develops with mild symptoms that can be overlooked easily.

Hence, it is necessary to have a thorough understanding of penile cancer's symptoms, stages, and other forms of treatment so that it can be diagnosed and treated on time. In 2020, there were 36,068 newly diagnosed cases of penile cancer, ranking it as the 30th most common cancer.

Let's discuss the penile cancer symptoms, its causes, and available treatments so you can be more aware of your health.

What is Penile Cancer?

Penile cancer refers to a form of cancer that originates in the penis due to the uncontrolled growth of malignant cells, primarily affecting the skin and underlying tissues. Although it is considered to be rare compared to other cancers, penile cancer can be aggressive.

This is why it requires early detection and treatment. Even though penile cancer causes are not known clearly, there are various risk factors that can lead to its formation in males. This type of cancer can occur in any part of the penis, but mainly on the glans and foreskin.

What are the Types of Penile Cancer?

The primary forms of penile cancer are discussed in the table below:

Types	Description
Squamous Cell Carcinoma	The most common type of penile cancer is SCC, which accounts for 95% of all cases of this disease. SCC arises from the squamous, flat cells that create the outer skin layer.
Basal Cell Carcinoma	Basal cell penile cancer is associated with basal cell layers, which produce new skin layers as dead skin cells die off. BCCs are benign, slow-growing, and less likely to metastasize.
Melanoma	This is the most dangerous type of skin cancer, which has its source in the melanocytes, the cells that decide the pigmentation of your skin.
Sarcoma	Sarcoma is a sporadic penile cancer that starts off either in the muscle or connective tissue.

Other types of penile cancer include verruciform carcinoma, sarcomatoid carcinoma, mixed carcinoma, and adenosquamous carcinoma.

What are the Symptoms of Penile Cancer?

A change in the skin of the penis is the most common presentation of penile cancer. Such changes can occur on the foreskin of an uncircumcised man, on the tip of the penis called the glans, or along the shaft. Some common penile cancer symptoms include:

Skin thickening and colour changes
Rash and small, crusty bumps, similar to an unhealed scab
Growths with a bluish-brown color
Lump on the penis
Foul discharge smell under the foreskin
Disease in the penis that bleeds and begins bleeding
Swelling at the top part of the penis
Bulges under the skin in the groin

Most of these penile cancer symptoms are not cancerous all the time but result in some infections or allergic reactions. However, it is essential to consult a doctor as soon as possible if any unusual symptoms arise on your penis.

What are the Causes of Penile Cancer?

Researchers are still trying to figure out the penile cancer causes, though they have discovered some risk factors that can elevate the chances of this ailment:

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Infection

It is one of the significant risk factors for penile cancer. This sexually transmitted virus might cause changes in penis cells that are more prone to becoming malignant. Specifically, there are numerous strains of HPV tied explicitly to the development of particular cancers like the genitourinary system.

Of these, HPV-16 and HPV-18 are among the most notably tied to the development of cancer, although less directly linked to the case of penile cancer.

Smoking

Tobacco is proven to promote a wide range of cancers, and the case is not exceptional with penile cancer. Smoking tends to enhance vulnerability by weakening the immune system and increasing exposure to carcinogens that result in cellular mutation within the penile tissue.

In general, men with a smoking habit have the chance to suffer from penile cancer more often than non-smokers.

Age

The risk of penile cancer increases with age, especially in men aged 50 years or more. As older age imposes on older men, there is a decreased cumulative exposure to risk factors and also a lower body capacity for cellular repair, increasing the risk for cancer development.

Poor Hygiene

Without circumcision and with poor hygiene, males are more prone to penile cancer. The resulting irritation from smegma, a product that contains dead skin cells, oils, and moisture, can cause inflammation of the penis's skin. This can lead to an environment where cancerous changes begin when their hygiene practices are unsatisfactory.

Pre-existing Conditions

Several pre-existing conditions may raise the chances of penile cancer in some individuals. One such condition is the lichen sclerosus. It is a chronic skin disorder marked by white spots on the penis, scarring, and changes to the tissue within that raise the individual's chances of developing cancer.

Immunosuppression

A person with weakened immunity is more vulnerable to penile cancer. This includes the person infected with HIV or other illnesses that weaken the immune response. Weakened immunity cannot fight infections like HPV with proper effectiveness, thus allowing the cancer-causing cells to grow and develop without resistance

Other infections may also occur in immunosuppressed individuals, potentially increasing the cancer risk.

What are the Stages of Penile Cancer?

Early signs of penile cancer should not be overlooked as they can cause massive problems in the later stages. It is classified as follows:

Penile Cancer Stage 1

The cancer is limited to the outer skin or tissues very close to that. The tumour is usually small enough that it can be treated effectively. There often is a small lump or sore on the penis, and it usually comes with very little pain.

Penile Cancer Stage 2

Cancer may grow deeper into penis tissue but doesn't spread to lymph nodes. The tumour is usually somewhat more extensive and is often associated with more obvious signs, including bleeding or discharge.

Penile Cancer Stage 3

In stage 3, the cancer cells spread to nearby lymph nodes in the groin or pelvis but do not hamper the other organs and systems. Some common symptoms at this stage include swelling of the lymph nodes and aggravation of the local symptoms.

Penile Cancer Stage 4

In the fourth stage, cancer spreads to distant parts of the body, like the lungs, liver, and bones. Symptoms tend to be worse, with considerable pain, weight loss, and other general signs of illness.

Penile Cancer Diagnosis

Your doctor can perform each of the following to assess your risk for penile cancer:

Physical Examination

The healthcare provider will do a general physical check-up on you by examining the skin around your penis to ensure there is nothing out of the ordinary, like lumps or discolouration.

The doctor will also ask you questions pertaining to the signs of penile cancer you are experiencing and your lifestyle, such as what your past history has been in terms of diseases. This will enable them to determine whether it is indeed a cancerous condition or if it is an infection or allergic reaction.

Biopsy

No other medical process can prove a diagnosis of cancer better than a biopsy. Your doctor will take cells or tissues that seem suspicious. A pathologist, an expert in laboratory work, will examine those samples under the microscope for signs of cancer.
Imaging

Several imaging procedures may be needed to measure the extent of cancer spread. Depending on the kind of cancer, this can also involve a CT scan, MRI, ultrasound, PET scan, or chest X-ray.

Penile Cancer Treatments

Some of the possible penile cancer treatments your healthcare provider may perform for early-stage include:
Medicated Creams

Your healthcare professional may recommend applying a cream topically to the cancerous lesion. Imidopril and fluorouracil are medications available.

Circumcision

This is a medical process performed by the healthcare specialist to excise the affected tissue if the lesions have only affected the foreskin.

Laser Ablation

This involves using lasers to generate high-intensity heat, eventually killing the tumour.

Cryotherapy

This medical procedure uses freezing liquid or a device to freeze or destroy the tumour.

Mohs Surgery

In this procedure, your physician removes cancerous skin layer by layer to reach healthy tissue.

Excision

Your doctor may perform surgery by removing cancerous cells or a tumour from the penis.

Penectomy

This procedure is used for advanced or metastatic penile cancer. In this process, either a part of the penis is removed during partial penectomy or the entire penis is removed during a total penectomy. In total penectomy, an opening in your abdomen or perineum can create an opening for urination.

Lymphadenectomy

If the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes, your healthcare provider may recommend their removal, especially those located in the groin area.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy is the process of using high-energy rays to target and kill cancer cells. It can be the first-line treatment for early-stage penile cancer. Alternatively, it may be a complementary treatment to eliminate any remaining cancerous cells after surgery.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is a treatment wherein drugs are used to kill cancerous cells and may be started in an advanced phase of penile cancer. It is also available as oral and intravenous medication and may be used with other treatments.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is an innovative method for disease treatment in which the immune system is helped to identify and execute its duties against neoplastic cells. Patients with advanced or recurrent penile carcinoma are eligible for such treatment.

Knowing about penile cancer, its symptoms, risk factors, diagnosis, and the available remedies is one crucial way of managing such a condition effectively.

If you or anyone around you is having any symptoms related to this ailment, it must require medical intervention. Besides, for extra protection and peace of mind, consider taking comprehensive health insurance from Star Health Insurance, which guarantees you the best resources during a medical condition.

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FAQ

What are the common symptoms of penile cancer?

Penile cancer's usual symptoms include a visible rash or penile cancer lump on the skin of the penis, which can be painless or painful. Some other symptoms may include unusual discharge or bleeding, itching, and sores.

What is the penile cancer survival rate?

The better prognosis regarding higher penile cancer survival rates compared to late stages of the disease is associated with early diagnosis of this cancer. In fact, 90% of men diagnosed with this type of cancer make it through for one year or longer after being diagnosed.

How is penile cancer diagnosed?

Penile cancer is diagnosed by a combination of physical exams, imaging studies, and biopsies. The healthcare provider checks any suspicious signs and symptoms, such as lumps or lesions, for the presence of cancerous cells.

What treatment options are available for penile cancer?

The treatment of penile cancer often involves surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. Usually, early-stage disease is well treated with localised therapy.

What happens in first-stage penile cancer?

In penile cancer stage 1, a tumour is found present in the soft tissue underneath the skin but has not extended to nearby blood vessels, nerves, lymph nodes, or other parts of the body.