What are its symptoms and why are there more cases in Albacete?
He penile cancer He is little known among the male population. The incidence of this tumor is very low. In our country, only one out of every 100,000 men suffers from this type of cancer.
But something very surprising happens to this tumor: its size doubles. Albacete. In this city of just over 170,000 people, the figure rises to almost two men per 100,000 per year, according to the latest World Health Organization report.
Although it’s rare, penile cancer has a good prognosis “if it’s caught early,” this portal warns. Dr. Felix GuerreroHead of the uro-oncology department of the ROC clinic.
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The main risk factor, the specialist notes, is age.
However, it may appear in “patients with several sexual partners because they are at greatest risk of contracting the human papillomavirus, which is a carcinogenic virus.
Although it is not the deadliest cancer, the reluctance of many men to see a urologist can jeopardize the survival of these patients.
“The earlier it is detected, the better the prognosis and the better life can be saved.”
What are your symptoms?
Penile cancer manifests itself very early in the form of damage to any part of the genital organ, both the glans and the foreskin.
“All in all, Any new injury should be examined by a specialist.“emphasizes Dr. Guerrero.
Healthy patients are also advised to visit a urologist at least once a year.
Early symptoms may include ulcers and inflammation at the base of the penis discharge under the foreskin.
However, as the disease progresses, it can cause pain and bleeding, lumps in the groin, as well as weight loss and difficulty urinating.
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Penile cancer: how to treat it?
“The main treatment for this type of tumor is surgery,” says the doctor.
If the cancer is very localized, treatment can be done in Cancerwhich is a precancerous lesion that will lead to disease. Creams and lasers may also be included, “although most cases involve surgery.”
An operation in which, as always, the principles of oncological surgery are observed, that is, the entire tumor is removed.
The fact is that in this case this needs to be done in the most conservative way possible. Because, as the urologist emphasizes, “the goal is to keep the patient within certain limits.” functional, aesthetic and psychological standards“.
Surgery for penile cancer can affect not only the patient’s sex life, but also functional, urinary and psychological health.
“Yes, it is true that in some cases we have to carry out radical penectomythat is, complete removal of the organ. “These patients have a cutaneous urostomy, attaching the urethra to the perineum behind the testicles, so they can urinate while sitting, although they retain sphincter function.”
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What is the profile of patients with penile cancer?
- They are usually over 50-60 years old.
- A lesion appears on the penis, initially painless and asymptomatic.
- Also due to other symptoms such as pain in some parts of the body and undue weight loss.
Does poor hygiene have an effect?
“Without a doubt,” he clarifies. Dr. Felix Guerrero. “Poor penile hygiene habits lead to chronic inflammation, which can increase the risk of swelling in the area.”
This is also related to phimosis. “It is currently unknown whether this is a risk factor or due to poor hygiene caused by the inability to retract the foreskin and clear the glans.”