Penile Cancer

 Penile Cancer

• Penile cancer, or cancer of the penis, is a relatively rare form of cancer that affects the skin and tissues of the penis. 
•  It occurs when normally healthy cells in the penis become cancerous and begin to grow out of control, forming a tumor.

Types:-

The two main types of penile cancer are:-

1.  Non invasive penile cancer:- It is a condition in which the cancer hasn’t spread to deeper tissues, lymph nodes, or glands.
2. Invasive penile cancer:- It is a condition in which the cancer has moved deep into the penis tissue and surrounding lymph nodes and glands.

Other classifications are as follows:-

• Squamous cell or epidermoid carcinoma. This makes up 95% of penile cancer cases. It usually starts on or under your foreskin but can also appear on other parts of your penis.
• Sarcoma. These cancers form in tissues like blood vessels, muscle, and fat.
• Melanoma. This is cancer that starts in the cells that give your skin color.
• Basal cell carcinoma. These cancers start deep in your skin. They grow slowly and aren’t likely to spread to other areas of your body.

Symptoms:-

• Not all cancers cause changes you can see, but penile cancer usually causes your penis to look different. 
• The skin on your penis may become discolored, and you may notice a lump.
• Signs and symptoms of penile cancer include:-

• A painless lump or sore (that may bleed).
• Swelling and irritation, especially in the head of your penis (balanitis).
• Skin thickening or changing skin color.
• Flat growths that look blueish-brown.
• Foul-smelling fluid underneath your foreskin.
• Small, crusty bumps.
• Rash.

Causes:-

• With penile cancer, a healthy cell in your skin changes to become a cancer cell. 
• Over time, cancer cells can spread to other parts of your body, damaging healthy tissue and organs.
• Researchers don’t know what causes the change that transforms a healthy cell into a cancer cell, but they’ve discovered several risk factors. 
• A risk factor doesn’t cause penile cancer, but it increases the possibility.Some of them are:-

• Phimosis
• Human papillomavirus (HPV)
• HIV
• Tobacco use
• PUVA treatment:-PUVA stands for psoralen and ultraviolet A photochemotherapy. 

It’s a type of treatment for psoriasis that uses radiation. Receiving this treatment can increase your risk of penile cancer.

• Lichen sclerosus
• Poor hygiene

Stages of Penile Cancer:-

1. Stage 0:-

• Cancer is only on the top layer of the skin.
• Cancer hasn’t to spread any glands, lymph nodes, or other parts of the body.

2. Stage 1:-

• Cancer has spread into the connective tissue just below the skin.
• Cancer hasn’t spread to any glands, lymph nodes, or other parts of the body.

3. Stage 2:-

• Cancer has spread to the connective tissue below the skin and to lymph vessels or blood vessels, or cells look very different from normal cells, or cancer has spread to erectile tissues or the urethra.
• Cancer hasn’t spread to any other parts of the body.

4. Stage 3A:-

• Cancer has spread to the connective tissue below the skin and to lymph vessels or blood vessels, or cells look very different from normal cells, or cancer has spread to erectile tissues or the urethra.
• Cancer has spread to one or two lymph nodes on the same side of the groin.
• Cancer hasn’t spread to any other parts of the body.

5. Stage 3B:-

• Cancer has spread to the connective tissue below the skin and to lymph vessels or blood vessels.
• Cells look very different from normal cells, or cancer has spread to erectile tissues or the urethra.
• Cancer has spread to three or more lymph nodes on one side of the groin or multiple lymph nodes on both sides of the groin.
• Cancer hasn’t spread to any other parts of the body.

6. Stage 4:-

• Cancer has spread to nearby areas, such as the pubic bone, prostrate, or scrotum, or cancer has spread to other areas and organs of the body.

Diagnosis:-

• Physical exam and history
• Biopsy
•  CT scan, MRI, ultrasound, PET scan, or X-ray.

Treatment:-

Some of the main treatments for noninvasive penile cancer include:-

• Circumcision.
• Laser therapy.
• Chemotherapy.
• Immunotherapy. 
• Radiation therapy.
• Cryosurgery.

Treatment for invasive penile cancer requires major surgery.Surgery may involve:-

• Removal of the tumor, entire penis, or lymph nodes in the groin and pelvis.