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Urology (Expert Forum)
Re: Penile Cancer
Questions in the Urology forum are answered by Dr. Stephen Liroff, affiliated with the Henry Ford Hospital. Topics covered include benign prostate disease, penis curvature, cystisis, kidney stones, pediatric urology, prostate, sexual dysfunction, urinary tract infections (UTI), and urological cancers.
Re: Penile Cancer
by HFHS MD JL, Jan 01, 1995 12:00AM
Posted By HFHS M.D.-JL on July 11, 1998 at 12:46:36:
In Reply to: Penile Cancer posted by Allan on June 29, 1998 at 17:32:03:
Hello,
I am scared that I may have penile cancer. I am not circumcised, and i'm 16 years old. I do not smoke. For many years I have had a lump in the side of my penis, clearly visible when erect. I now have 2 other lumps on the opposite side of the penis. They look like the size of a vein that you would find in a persons arm, they look too big to be veins in the penis. They do seem to have a purplish or blue color to them. The past few years I have been developing small lumps on the foreskin. I first thought they were from ingrown hair, but they are beggining to grow towards the end of the penis on the foreskin. They are the same color as skin, and some of them appear to have an indentation or a very small black bump in the center of them, which almost looks like a piece of hair sticking up. Please give me some advice, or some method to determine if I truly do have penile cancer. Should I seek a urologist or my family physician? I am very uncomfortable approaching a family member about this. Thanks!
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Dear Allan,
Penile cancer is a disease of older men, 60-80 yrs. It is rare among the Jewish population where neonatal circumcision is commonplace. Uncircumcised men have a chronic irritative product called smegma that is thought to contribute to penile cancer. Smegma is a by-product of bacteria acting on desquamated cells. Phimosis, scarring of the uncircumcised foreskin so that is cannot be reduced over the glands, contributes to smegma formation. Penile cancer can occur anywhere on the penis but usually occur on the glands.
With respect to your situation, Allan, it is extremely unlikely that you have penile cancer. You lack the chronic exposure to the smegma needed to promote cancer. You are too young. The lesions you describe may be sebaceous cysts which may occur anywhere on the body. Veins in the penile skin can be very large. I cannot make a diagnosis without a physical exam, but for now, you can relax. You can initially be evaluated by your family doctor.
More individualized care is available at the Henry Ford Hospital and its urban campuses by calling (1 800 653 6568). We can also arrange local accommodations through this number if this is your need. Please bring any physicians notes and lab test results that you may be able to obtain. These will help us greatly.
This information is provided for general medical education purposes only. Please consult your physician for diagnostic and treatment options pertaining to your specific medical condition.
Sincerely yours;
HFHS M.D.-JL
* Keyword: penile cancer/sebacceous cysts
In Reply to: Penile Cancer posted by Allan on June 29, 1998 at 17:32:03:
Hello,
I am scared that I may have penile cancer. I am not circumcised, and i'm 16 years old. I do not smoke. For many years I have had a lump in the side of my penis, clearly visible when erect. I now have 2 other lumps on the opposite side of the penis. They look like the size of a vein that you would find in a persons arm, they look too big to be veins in the penis. They do seem to have a purplish or blue color to them. The past few years I have been developing small lumps on the foreskin. I first thought they were from ingrown hair, but they are beggining to grow towards the end of the penis on the foreskin. They are the same color as skin, and some of them appear to have an indentation or a very small black bump in the center of them, which almost looks like a piece of hair sticking up. Please give me some advice, or some method to determine if I truly do have penile cancer. Should I seek a urologist or my family physician? I am very uncomfortable approaching a family member about this. Thanks!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Allan,
Penile cancer is a disease of older men, 60-80 yrs. It is rare among the Jewish population where neonatal circumcision is commonplace. Uncircumcised men have a chronic irritative product called smegma that is thought to contribute to penile cancer. Smegma is a by-product of bacteria acting on desquamated cells. Phimosis, scarring of the uncircumcised foreskin so that is cannot be reduced over the glands, contributes to smegma formation. Penile cancer can occur anywhere on the penis but usually occur on the glands.
With respect to your situation, Allan, it is extremely unlikely that you have penile cancer. You lack the chronic exposure to the smegma needed to promote cancer. You are too young. The lesions you describe may be sebaceous cysts which may occur anywhere on the body. Veins in the penile skin can be very large. I cannot make a diagnosis without a physical exam, but for now, you can relax. You can initially be evaluated by your family doctor.
More individualized care is available at the Henry Ford Hospital and its urban campuses by calling (1 800 653 6568). We can also arrange local accommodations through this number if this is your need. Please bring any physicians notes and lab test results that you may be able to obtain. These will help us greatly.
This information is provided for general medical education purposes only. Please consult your physician for diagnostic and treatment options pertaining to your specific medical condition.
Sincerely yours;
HFHS M.D.-JL
* Keyword: penile cancer/sebacceous cysts
