Penile cancer is rare but can be fatal
Most men have heard of testicular cancer, but penile cancer is rarely mentioned because it is so rare. In the United States, about 2,300 men are diagnosed with penile cancer each year, accounting for less than 1% of cancer cases in men. Penile cancer is more common in Africa, Asia, and South America. According to data from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), in 2020 it is estimated that more than 36,000 people will be diagnosed with penile cancer globally, of which more than 13,200 will die.
The survival rate of at least 5 years for people who have just been diagnosed with penile cancer is quite high. In the US, the rate is 65%. However, the survival rate also depends on many factors, including the stage at which the disease is detected.
People diagnosed with penile cancer that have not spread have an 80% chance of surviving at least 5 years. If the cancer cells have spread to surrounding tissues and organs or to the lymph nodes in this area, the 5-year survival rate is 50%. If the cancer has spread to a distant part of the body, the five-year survival rate is only 9%.
However, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the European Urological Association (EAU) 2018, a significant number of patients with penile cancer do not receive adequate treatment. The study investigated compliance rates with EAU guidelines for penile cancer treatment and found that 25% of patients were not receiving recommended treatment. Furthermore, patients who were not treated according to the EAU guidelines had a survival rate of only half.
Treatment of penile cancer is usually not difficult if the disease is detected early, but there are several complicating factors. The first, as Dr Luca Cindolo and his colleagues mention in the study, is simply that some health care providers may not be familiar with penile cancer because it is so rare. “About half of patients are not treated according to guidelines, the decision is made by the doctor and we suspect that this is because many doctors are not familiar with the treatment of this rare but dangerous cancer. this,” said Dr. Cindolo.
Symptoms and treatment
Early penile cancer often has symptoms that include a rash or infection at the tip of the penis, which can be itchy, painful, and bleeding. After this stage, the penis will start to look like a pimple.
Dr Harcharan Gill, professor of urology at Stanford University, California, US, said that because cancer is located on the genitals, some people may not see a doctor right away, instead hoping the disease will go away on its own. from. However, in the early stages, penile cancer is easiest to treat. In fact, the disease can often be treated with creams, ointments, or surgery.
Once cancer begins to spread to the shaft of the penis, treatment becomes more difficult. Partial removal of the penis is not uncommon. More severe cases may even require amputation of the entire penis. If left untreated, penile cancer will eventually spread to the lymph nodes in the groin.
“Once this cancer becomes invasive, the chances of survival begin to decline rapidly depending on the stage,” Gill said.
Subjects at risk of penile cancer
Penile cancer occurs mainly in uncircumcised men. Smokers, people with HPV, HIV, or genital warts are also at higher risk.
The number of sexual partners a man has is directly proportional to the risk of penile cancer. So practicing safe sex, including using condoms, is really helpful in reducing the risk of penile cancer.
“Patients with late diagnosis are often obese people who do not have the opportunity to fully examine their genitalia. They are often diabetics who are in good health overall. poor and susceptible to infection and they think it’s just another infection on the penis. Also, there are patients with low socioeconomic status, low education,” Mr. Gill said.
General hygiene of the genitals is very important. Uncircumcised men must always ensure hygiene at the tip of their penis, especially pulling the foreskin back. Genital warts, which are dead skin cells, oils and other substances that accumulate under the foreskin, can increase the risk of penile cancer.
“If you have any sores or lesions on the penis that can’t be healed with traditional treatments and can cause an infection, see a dermatologist or urologist immediately.” Dr. Gill recommends.
Mr. Ngoc (According to Healthline)
at Blogtuan.info – Source: vnexpress.net – Read the original article here
