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Diagnosing Penile Cancer
Cancer of the penis usually occurs on the foreskin or head (glans) but may also
form anywhere along the penile shaft. It usually occurs as cancer of the skin as
squamous cell carcinomas or melanomas.
If left unchecked the cancer will slowly grow deeper into the tissues until it
reaches the lymph nodes. Here the chance of the cancer spreading increases.
Causes:
It is believed that poor hygiene can lead to penile cancer. Other studies have
show a direct link with venereal warts.
Diagnosis:
The first sign is usually a form of lesion (either a discolouration or a raised
lump).
Your doctor will examine you and will ask questions about your general health.
If your doctor suspects a problem he/she may refer you to a specialist (usually
a urologist).
Urologist
The specialist will ask you about your medical history and will ask you to
describe any symptoms that you may have. The Urologist usually will check your
lymph nodes in your groin to see if there are larger than usual which can be a
sign that the cancer has spread.
Your specialist might also arrange for:
Blood tests
Biopsy (a small sample of the lesion is removed for microscopic examination)
Staging:
Stage 1: cancer cells are only located on the surface of the glans and on the
foreskin
Stage 2: cancer cells are found in deeper tissues of the glans and have spread
to the shaft of the penis
Stage 3: cancer cells are found in the penis and have spread to the nearby lymph
nodes in the groin
Stage 4: cancer cells are found throughout the penis and the lymph nodes in the
groin and/or have spread to other parts of the body
Treatment:
Treatment is determined by a number of factors including the stage of the cancer
and the size of the tumor. Early detected cancer can usually be treated by
surgical removal (can also be removed by laser). Treatment may also be done
chemically or with radiation.
Surgery is the method of choice for cancers that have penetrated deeper into the
penile tissue. Radiation may also be used.
For more advanced cancer (i.e. spread to the lymph nodes), surgery or radiation
may be used.
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