Penile cancer cases are predicted to increase by up to 77% by 2050, driven by aging populations and risk factors like poor genital hygiene, smoking, and human papillomavirus (HPV) infections. Developing countries currently have the highest rates for penis cancer, but cases are increasing in most European countries.
Over 90% of penis cancers are carcinomas caused by squamous cells in the skin, and HPV, particularly HPV 16, is present in about half of these cases, triggering malignant changes in the skin.
Major risk factors for penis cancer include being over 50, having a narrowed foreskin, poor genital hygiene, smoking tobacco, and HPV infection. It is rare in circumcised individuals.
Penile cancer can be mistaken for a sexually transmitted infection (STI), with symptoms like non-healing sores, bleeding, rashes, foreskin trouble, and color changes. Delayed diagnosis is common due to shame, embarrassment, or misclassification of lesions by doctors.
HPV, a common sexually transmitted infection that spreads through skin contact, can cause pre-malignant and malignant changes on the penis and other body parts. HPV 16, a high-risk type, is particularly concerning as persistent infections can lead to pre-malignant changes in the skin of the penis.
HPV infections are common among sexually active adults, often asymptomatic, can persist and cause pre-malignant changes, and previous infection does not protect against future infection.
Treatment options for penis cancer include surgical removal of cancerous tissue with laser or micro-surgery, possibly combined with chemotherapy or radiotherapy, and in severe cases, amputation may be necessary, while new treatments like engineered T cells and immunotherapies show promise in fighting HPV-infected cells and improving immune responses to tumors.
HPV vaccination is seen as a crucial preventive measure for both individual and public health, and it is most effective when given at ages 11-12 but can also be beneficial at older ages.
Sources: The Sun, The Conversation, RaillyNews, ScienceAlert, ZME Science, Metro, EconoTimes, HeadTopics, Medical Xpress.
This article was written in collaboration with Generative AI news company Alchemiq.
