Cancer of the penis: etiology, clinic and treatment

Cancer of the penis is a rare disease with a frequency of occurrence of 0.1 to 8 cases per 100 thousand men. As a rule, the canker is localized on the head of the penis - 48%, the foreskin - 20%, on the body of the penis - less than 2%, and in the coronal sulcus up to 6%. Often, the cancers of the penis metastasize through the lymphatic vessels into the regional lymph nodes.

Cancer of the glans penis: causes

Until now, doctors have not been able to determine any one-sided cause that causes penis cancer. There is an opinion that some diseases, such as phimosis, chronic irritations due to poor hygiene of the genitals, provoke the development of the disease. In this case, the preputial bag accumulates smegma, during its hydrolysis carcinogenic compounds are formed, which provoke the development of cancer. Physicians argue that circumcision prevents the development of cancer. A positive correlation was established between the papilloma virus and the development of penile cancer. As a rule, the cancer of the penis is combined with the presence of the virus.

Classification of the stages of development of pathology

The main histostructure of cancer is the squamous cell of the penis (95% of all carcinogenic cancers of the penis). Basal cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma are rarely seen.

So-called precancerous diseases can be classified into obligate, facultative. To obligate pathology carry intraepithelial neoplasia of the penis - Bowen's disease, erythroplasia of Kveirat, obliterating balanitis. To facultative pre-pathological pathologies include penile papillomas and cutaneous horn.

Cancer of the penis: stages of development

Stage I - the cancers extend to the subepithelial connective tissue.

Stage II - the canal is localized in the spongy and cavernous body.

Stage III - the canal extends to the prostate or urethra. Metastases are registered in regional lymph nodes.

ІV stage - the cancers of the penis extend to other tissues. Metastases are recorded in regional as well as distant lymph nodes.

Cancer of the penis: clinical signs

Since this pathology is localized on the external genitalia, it is easy enough to diagnose it. At the initial stage of the disease on the head of the penis, as well as on the inner surface of the foreskin, nodules, ulcers, papillomas, cracks, and various densities of pale or red color form. Men with congenital phimosis mark discharge of purulent exudate from a closed prepuce. Inside the preputial bag, palpation feels the seals.

Early stages of development of penis cancer are accompanied by inflammatory processes (balanitis, balanoposthitis, etc.). Patients, even if they detect seals in the "intimate zone", very rarely turn to specialists. In the later stages of the development of the disease, when the cancus sprouts into the urethra or cavernous bodies, dysfunctional disorders of the genitourinary system (itching, burning, intense urination, weakness or narrowness of the jet, discomfort during urination, prolonged erection) are observed. With the disintegration of the tumor, inflammation increases, which greatly aggravates the course of the disease. This process is accompanied by abundant serous-purulent discharge from the prepuce, manifestations on the foreskin with the formation of fistulas. Sometimes there is a perforation of the prepuce with expanding carcinogenic tissues. Weakness and cachexia (exhaustion) are late symptoms of pathology.

Cancer of the penis: treatment

In the early stages of the development of the disease, organ-preserving therapy is shown: cryodestruction, local laser therapy, local chemotherapy (fluorouracil), local excision of the focus, photodynamic therapy. In later stages of cancer development, amputation of the penis head is performed.