Penile Cancer in Panama
What is penile cancer?
Penile cancer is generally a type of skin cancer that affects any part of the male genital organ, although it has a higher incidence in the glans.
It is basically a variety of squamous cell carcinoma, and manifests itself with abnormal tissue growth.
Causes of Penile Cancer
The causes of penile cancer remain uncertain, as in the different types of cancer; although there are certainly several risk factors that have been related to its appearance.
Among these we have:
- Phimosis
- Uncircumcised males
- Human papillomavirus infections
- Smoking
- Ultraviolet exposure per treatment
- Promiscuity
- Be over 60 years old
Symptoms of Penile Cancer
Among the most common symptoms presented by patients suffering from penile cancer, it is possible to mention:
- Discharge and foul odor under the foreskin
- Swelling in the glans or at the base of the penis
- Lumps or sores in the area
- Irritation
- Bleeding in the shaft of the penis
- Severe pain
- Difficulty urinating
- Unintentional weight loss
- Swelling in the groin
- Changes in coloration
- Thickening in some areas of the penis
Penile Cancer Diagnostic Process
This type of urogenital disorder is detected by a specialist in the area of urology.
To do this, the doctor asks a series of questions in order to obtain information to take a medical history, analyzing symptoms and characteristics.
After this, a physical examination is carried out that will later require the application of specific tests to confirm or rule out the suspicion of cancer.
Echography
This test can visualize any pattern of change in the corpus cavernosum of the penis.
CT scan
Through the result of this examination, the doctor will determine the degree of depth and expansion of the tumor.
MRI
This test detects any patterns of cancer spreading to other parts of the body (metastasis).
Biopsy
It is advisable to take a sample of tissue from the sentinel lymph node for laboratory analysis.
Treatments for Penile Cancer
Treatments for penile cancer vary depending on the staging and the patient’s health.
Consequently, stage I cancer will only require external or internal chemotherapy, combined with partial or total penectomy surgery.
If we are dealing with stage II cancer, in addition to the above, a sentinel lymph node biopsy is performed and a clinical trial of laser surgery is proposed.
On the other hand, during a stage III, the same stage II treatment supplemented with chemotherapy, clinical trial of radiosensitizers and biological therapy is included.
Finally, in the last stage (stage IV), treatment focuses on palliative care and improving the patient’s quality of life as much as possible.
To do this, a wide local excision surgery is performed with removal of the inguinal lymph nodes.
Importance of early detection of penile cancer
The early diagnosis of this type of cancer allows its lesions and first manifestations to be treated on an outpatient basis to prevent the disease from progressing rapidly.
In fact, thanks to this it is possible to avoid surgical interventions or the application of invasive treatments such as chemotherapy.
However, the early detection of penile cancer is complex, as most men are reluctant to undergo routine check-ups of this type.
Stages of Penile Cancer
Cancer is staged in IV stages or stages.
Here is a detail to understand the magnitude of each of them.
Stage I
In this early stage, cancer develops in the tissue under the skin of the penis.
No spread to surrounding blood vessels or lymph nodes has yet been determined; and when observed under the microscope, no abnormal cells are distinguished.
Stage II
Spread to the lymph nodes, blood vessels, and nerves of the organ is seen.
On microscopic study it is possible to identify abnormal cells (sarcomatoids) and there is evidence of spread to and within the tissue surrounding the corpus cavernosum.
Stage III
During stage III, greater spread of abnormal cells to the lymph nodes in the groin area is already visualized.
In addition, lumps or sores are observed on the shaft of the penis, redness and change in color.
Stage IV
Finally, in its most advanced stage there is already a widespread presence of cancer cells; spreading to the scrotum, prostate, pelvis, among other structures.
As the tumor is already out of control, there is spread to other parts of the body such as lungs, bone system and liver.
Types of cancer that affect the penis
There are several types of penile cancer, among which the following are identified:
Squamous cell carcinoma
As a result of the presence of this type of cancer, the patient manifests symptoms of irritation, lesions, bedsores, fissures and chronic inflammation of the penis.
Adenocarcinoma
It is a common type of cancer that develops in epithelial cells (glandular tissue). These glands are responsible for producing penile fluid or mucus.
Melanomas
Primary penile melanoma or malignant cutaneous neoplasm is an aggressive and rapidly developing type of cancer, derived from the proliferation of atypical melanocytes.
Basal cell penile cancer
On the other hand, this is a type of penile cancer that is rarely fatal. Basal cell carcinoma is also a type of skin cancer that affects the penis, but it only accounts for a small percentage of cases. Its growth is slow and it is possible to control it before it spreads to other parts of the body.
Sarcomas
These cancerous lesions are very rare. However, they are very aggressive in behavior; therefore, if it is detected early, it is recommended to treat it quickly and complexly. Penile sarcoma is likely to recur, and once it has spread to metastasis, it is lethal in a very short time.
Nursing care in patients with penile cancer
The care of the patient with penile cancer (either within a health center or in the patient’s home), must be supported by a nursing service that can support, among other things:
- Know the patient's medical history
- Adhering to medications as prescribed
- Assess the patient's physical and psychological state
- Review the results of the studies performed (laboratory, imaging)
- Maintain proper patient hygiene
- Visualize the genital area for discharge or bleeding (including cleaning it)
- Assist the patient in everyday tasks
- Maintain contact with the medical team at all times
- Keeping a constant eye on your vital signs
- Prevent the patient from making any physical effort
How to prevent penile cancer?
Although it is almost impossible to prevent any type of cancer, there are several measures that we can apply to try to avoid it.
Among these we have:
- Go to urological consultation once a year
- Perform a self-exam to detect any abnormalities
- Maintain good daily penis hygiene (important to do this after sexual intercourse as well)
- Educate boys on the importance of proper penis hygiene
- Practice safe sex
- Avoiding Promiscuity
Frequently asked questions
Do you have any questions?
Check out the answers to our most frequently asked questions.
At what stage does penile cancer become terminal?
Penile cancer when it reaches stage IV initiates a series of complications in which palliative care actually becomes the most important thing.
This is the so-called terminal stage, where the metastasis has reached many other parts of the body and the most important thing is to provide relief and well-being to the patient.
Is penile cancer hereditary?
Although its prevalence is quite low, penile cancer , like other types of cancer, does not have a precise cause of appearance; therefore, it is not possible to say whether or not there is a genetic link.
However, so far there are no important references that suggest that it is a condition that can be transmitted from parents to children.
What do I do if I have symptoms of penile cancer?
If there are changes in color in the skin of the penis, an abnormal protrusion or inflammation that does not subside with conventional treatment; The main option should be to go to a specialist doctor.
Obviously, men are always reluctant to go to the clinic due to conditions in their intimate area; hence the importance of raising awareness in the new generations since severe problems can be avoided.
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