Khaberni - Experts reveal that more than half of penile cancer cases are preventable, despite about 800 cases being recorded annually among men, according to recent medical estimates.
Data from Cancer Research UK indicates that over 60% of cases are linked to known risk factors, the most notable being infection with certain strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV) and smoking, in addition to chronic inflammatory skin diseases such as lichen sclerosus.
Doctors caution that early symptoms can be deceptive or ignored, and may include the appearance of a lump or non-healing sore within four weeks, a rash, bleeding, or abnormal discharge, along with general symptoms like unexplained weight loss, severe fatigue, and abdominal pain.
Although penile cancer is relatively rare and mostly affects men over fifty, health experts are concerned about the potential increase in cases, noting that it causes more than double the deaths compared to testicular cancer.
One of the major issues is delayed diagnosis, as many patients hesitate to seek medical advice when symptoms appear due to embarrassment or misjudgment, leading to the disease being discovered at advanced stages requiring more intense therapeutic interventions.
A recent case involved a 33-year-old British man who had to undergo partial amputation of the penis after doctors initially ignored the symptoms and considered them related to other problems before his health condition severely deteriorated.
Doctors confirm that early detection significantly increases the chances of recovery, as survival rates over five years exceed 90% in early cases, while they drop sharply in later stages when the cancer has spread to other organs.
The human papillomavirus, a group that includes more than 200 types of viruses, is linked to most cervical cancer cases and can also lead to penile cancer. The virus is usually transmitted through skin contact during sexual activities and may remain asymptomatic for years before complications appear.
In this context, health experts affirm that vaccination against the human papillomavirus, alongside the use of protection in sexual relations and quitting smoking, can significantly reduce the risk of infection, noting that routine vaccination of teenage boys and girls is one of the most important early prevention tools.
Treatment options depend on the stage of the disease and range from surgical procedures including circumcision or partial to complete penectomy, with the possibility of resorting to reconstructive surgeries in some cases. However, doctors emphasize that these interventions become more complex the later the diagnosis occurs.
Experts conclude that despite its rarity, penile cancer represents a clear example of the importance of early health awareness and overcoming embarrassment, considering that a swift diagnosis could be the difference between limited treatment and saving a patient's life.
