Yup. Poor hygiene is one of the main factors associated with penile cancer. Washing the organ with soap and water is a simple action and the best way to prevent the disease. It is important to carefully clean the foreskin, the skin that covers the “head” of the penis.
The main measure for the prevention of penile cancer is the constant maintenance of adequate hygiene of the organ. Another important measure is the use of condoms in any sexual relationship, as it reduces the chance of contagion of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), such as infection by the HPV virus. Circumcision also reduces the risk of developing the disease.
Yup. An approximate 3.2-fold reduction in the risk of penile cancer is estimated in those men who underwent postectomy at birth when compared to men who did not have the procedure.
Yup. The earlier the diagnosis of penile cancer, the greater the chance of cure. In addition, the disease when diagnosed in early stages is treated less aggressively, resulting in fewer sequelae and side effects.
The most important warning signs are: change in organ pigmentation; wounds or lesions that do not go away after medical treatment, especially when accompanied by secretions and a foul odor; tumor on the penis and/or bumps in the groin area; long-term inflammation.
The doctor is the professional trained to evaluate, diagnose and treat any disease. The most appropriate medical specialist in these cases is usually the urologist.
There are two ways to make this distinction. Clinically, through the characteristics and evolutionary history of the lesion. Pathologically, through the biopsy exam. Only biopsy can definitively diagnose penile cancer.
Your doctor may order blood and imaging tests to assess the local extent of the disease or whether other organs are involved. The most commonly indicated tests include CT and/or MRI of the abdomen and pelvis and chest X-ray. In some situations, other tests such as PET/CT (proton emission computed tomography) or bone scintigraphy may be useful.
Not. To date, surgery remains a fundamental component for the curative treatment of penile cancer.
Not always. The indication of radiotherapy treatment must be individualized.
Not. The oncologist must evaluate several factors related to the disease and the patient to decide on the indication of chemotherapy treatment.
