Penile Cancer
Penile
Cancer:
The penis is the flexible, expandable male
organ; its foreskin is sometimes removed ("circumcision")
for religious or perceived hygienic reasons. This penis is comprised of a
"shaft" of variable length
(average of 5 inches) which arises from the "pubis" -- the area where the
pubic bones join in
front. The penis has a "head" atop of the shaft, the largest diameter of
the penis is where the
head starts and is called the "corona" (meaning crown). The "urethra" is
the hollow tube at the
center of the penis, it extends from the neck of the bladder to the
opening at the tip of the penis
("urethral meatus"). The urethra is divided into 3 portions, the "prostatic"
, "membranous" and
"spongy" urethra. Only the spongy urethra, which is the part within the
penis, is considered part of
that organ. The urethra carries urine from the bladder and sperm from the
testicles to exit the
"urethral meatus" opening at the penile tip. Neither the "testicles"
within the "scrotal sac" , nor the
"prostate gland" which enlivens sperm, is considered part of the penis
proper-- although the both
feed into it to discharge their fluids through it.
Penile
carcinoma: Penile
malignancies are uncommon, but, when they are diagnosed, they are
psychologically
devastating to the patient and often present a challenge to the urologist.
Benign, premalignant,
and malignant conditions must be distinguished from each other.
Malignancies are usually
squamous cell carcinomas and behave similarly to those occurring elsewhere
on the skin. Earlier
the diagnosis, the more effective the therapy and the better the chance
for cure. If diagnosis is
delayed and the disease progresses, therapy may be less successful and
more disfiguring. So, it is
very critical that any skin erosion, ulcer, sore, irritation,
discoloration that is noticed on the
foreskin, the skin of the shaft of the penis or the surface of the head of
the penis be brought to
the attention of the physician by the patient and be promptly evaluated.
Early detection and
identification of penile cancer are very valuable because the treatments
that can provide
successful outcome are indeed low risk. If the tumor appears on the skin
surface, your urologist
may be able to treat the problem with a topical cream that has minimal
side effects.
|
