Many people get afraid just by listening to the word penile cancer as it sounds weird. However, it is rare and curing the problem is possible if diagnosed at an early stage. There are several treatments of this type of cancer, one includes circumcision surgery in adults i.e. removal of the foreskin on the penis.
What is Penile Cancer?
This cancer develops when the cells start growing abnormally to form a cluster called a tumor in the skin or tissue of the penis. This tumor can be of two types; malignant, which can spread to other parts of the body, or benign, which only grows but does not spread. About 2,100 men in the US suffer from penile cancer every year.
The Signs to Determine Penile Cancer
Men should take care and consult a doctor if the following signs start to appear, but at times, these signs only occur by ordinary infection.
- Redness and rashes appear on, or underneath the skin of the penis.
- An odious smell coming from the penis.
- Infection, ulcer or blister that takes a longer time to heal.
- Skin of the penis changes in color and thickness.
- Bleeding underneath the penis and its foreskin.
- Extreme and unbearable pain.
The Causes of Penile Cancer
It is now time to know what causes penile cancer and increases the risk of having it in men.
- Unprotected sexual activities can cause penile cancer; also, it increases the risk of having HIV and AIDS. If someone is suffering from AIDS then his immunity system will be too weak to fight cancer.
- Tobacco smokers and chewers are at increased risk of having penile cancer; 1.5-6 times which depends on the duration and amount consumed in a day.
- If fluids gather around in the penis area, and not washed properly then it is most likely that it will result in cancer.
- Many other diseases that are curable by ultraviolet lights are at risk of having penile cancer.
- Men who are above 50 years are at a higher risk of unfolding that they have penile cancer. African and Hispanic men are diagnosed with is at a very early age.
How to Diagnose Penile Cancer?
A patient can be sure of whether they are suffering from penile cancer in two ways. The first may be a physical examination by the health specialist, who can initially tell you about the condition of your penis. Sometimes you will require extra tests to be very sure.
- A simple biopsy can proceed in two ways. To remove a piece of tissue, a sharp rounded surgical tool is needed. In a needle biopsy, administering a sedative helps to prevent any pain during the process, while a needle insertion near the tumor helps to extract a sample. It is widely known that penile cancer is easier to detect through biopsy.
- Sometimes the cancerous cells are too tiny to detect so imaging tests are done to verify further. X-rays, ultrasounds, CT scan, and MRI look inside the body to see whether cancer has spread or not visible to the naked eye.
What are the Treatment Options?
The people who suffer from penile cancer can have several treatments options according to the intensity of the tumorous cells. At Circumcision Center, experts offer a number of treatments to their patients. Some of them are discussed below.
- Circumcision is now becoming more and more common as people are becoming aware of the benefits it brings. Circumcision surgery in adults is the best treatment for penile cancer because the foreskin at the tip of the penis is trimmed off. It may avoid the tightening of the skin and have a healthy effect on your life.
- If your penile cancer is at an early stage, then the doctor may prescribe some medicated creams to apply to the damaged area. The cream will cure the cancerous cells.
- Surgery through a strong laser beam is another effective way of burning the abnormal cells without harming the other parts of the penis.
- Sometimes freezing the tumor with extreme cold liquid is very successful. The cold liquid destroys the tissues containing cancer.
- Like any other cancer, chemotherapy and radiation can also cure this cancer. The most commonly used radiation therapy is external-beam radiation therapy, whereas, in chemotherapy, drugs are used to destroy the cell’s quality to divide and grow.
- Other regular surgeries can also be done by giving local or general anesthesia and removing the cancerous part from the normal penis.
Penile cancer is not as dangerous as it seems if the diagnosis and treatment are done in time. You should have circumcision surgery before the age of 30, take good care of your hygiene, decrease the intake of tobacco either by chewing or by smoking and lastly, have HPV vaccines to lessen the risk of developing penile cancer.
If you will carefully read and understand what penile cancer is and how to prevent it then it will never come to having treatment at all.
