Penile Cancer?

Posted by Steve on April 23, 1999 at 11:21:33
I am a 24 male with a history of HPV around 2 years ago.  Otherwise I am very healthy and have physicals annually.
A month ago while urinating I had a slight erection.  When I was finished urinating I did the typical motion to finish and I felt what felt at the time like a node inside my penis.  It was deep inside among the inner tissue on the left side(the spongy tissue),not at all superficial.  It is painless and I have no visible external skin eruptions or lesions on my penis or surrounding area. I check myself often for testicular problems and am clear there as well.
When I am flaccid the "node" is subtle and is much like the surrounding tissue, but slightly more firm, and might not even be noticed by me if I were not specifically looking for it.  As I become more erect it becomes more noticeable and more firm.
I would appreciate any insight on this. I am planning to make an appointment with a urologist, but my insurance is switching and I am stuck for about a week.
Thanks in advance.

Posted by HFHS M.D.-AK on April 23, 1999 at 16:06:57
Dear Steve,
Penile cancer accounts for 0.4% to 0.6% of all malignancies among males in the United States therefore it is rare.  It is a disease of older men with incidence peaking around the age of eighty.  It is nearly undiagnosed in patients who are circumcised with the lesion starting on the glans (glands) and the spreading onto the shaft.  More than other diseases, there is often a delay in diagnosis due to the embarrassment of the problem.  I think you are wise to have your lesion examined , although you most likely do not have penile cancer.
You probably have a benign condition known as Peyronie