Health - Diseases and Conditions - Cancer -Penile cancer- treatment

Treatment of penile cancer depends on the type of cancer and the stage of the cancer. It is usually a slow-growing cancer and is curable if it is discovered and treated in an early stage. Unfortunately, men delay treatment of penile cancer because they fear disfigurement and loss of sexual function. Patients often try to treat themselves with various skin creams and lotions. These may appear to be effective for a time, which further delays the diagnosis. If left untreated, the infection may spread from the penis to the lymph nodes in the groin and eventually to other parts of the body.

The type of treatment that you are given will depend on a number of things, including the position and tumor size, whether it has spread, the grade of the cancer and your general health. If the tumor appears on the skin surface, doctor may be able to treat the problem with a topical cream that has minimal side effects. Local tumors can be treated surgically that continues to shave layers of abnormal tissue until normal tissue is reached without major damage to the appearance, sexual activity or function of the penis. Radiation is an option but results are less certain.

There are treatments for all patients with cancer of the penis. Four kinds of treatment are used:

Surgery - the main penile cancer treatment (taking out the cancer in an operation).

Surgery is the most common treatment of all stages of cancer of the penis. A doctor may take out the cancer using one of the following operations: Different types of surgical procedures given below.

Wide local excision takes out only the cancer and some healthy tissue on either side. This is used when cancer has spread over a wider area.

Microsurgery is an operation that removes cancerous tissue and the smallest amount of healthy tissue. During this surgery, the doctor uses a microscope to check at the cancerous area to make sure all the cancer cells are removed.

Laser (Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation) surgery uses a narrow beam of light to dissolve or burn away cancer cells. It's advantage is that is causes very little post operative scarring and is very exact, not damaging surrounding tissues.

Circumcision (A circumcision is an operation in which the doctor takes away part or the entire foreskin from the penis- The foreskin is the skin, which covers the tip of the penis.)

Removing the penis (penectomy) is an operation that takes out the penis. It is the
common and most effective treatment for the penile cancer. This may be advised if the cancer is large and is covering a large area of the penis. This is an operation In a partial penectomy, part of the penis is taken out. In a total penectomy, the whole penis is removed. Lymph nodes in the groin may be taken out during surgery. If the tumour is near the base of the penis, total penectomy may be the only option.

2. Radiation therapy

In Radiation therapy uses high-dose x-rays or other high-energy rays to kill malignant cells and shrink tumors. This is used alone or as an alternative to surgery. Radiation therapy to the penis may work best in patients with low stage disease. This may improve effectiveness after resection of localized lesions without metastasis; it may also reduce the size of lymph nodes before nodal resection. Radiation may come from a machine outside the body (external radiation) or from putting materials that contain radiation through thin plastic tubes into the area where the cancer cells are (internal radiation). Each treatment takes 10–15 minutes. The number of treatments will depend on the type and size of the cancer but the whole course of treatment for early cancer will usually last up to six weeks.

3.Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy (using drugs to kill the cancer cells). It can be one drug or several drugs used together. It is not commonly used to treat cancer of the penis. Chemotherapy cream may sometimes be used to treat very small, early cancers that are confined to the foreskin and end of the penis (glans). Chemotherapy may also be given as tablets or by injection into a vein for more advanced cancer. It may be given along with surgery or radiotherapy (or both). This treatment is still experimental and is given as part of research trials (clinical trials). The side effects of chemotherapy are hair loss, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, lowered blood counts, , and an increased risk of infection.

4.Biological therapy

Biological therapy (BRM Therapy restores the body's natural defenses against disease)

The chance of recovery and choice of treatment depend on the stage of the cancer and the patient's general state of health. There are incidents of the cancer recurring after it has been treated.

Treatment by Stage

Treatment of penile cancer depends on the type of cancer and the stage of the cancer.

For stage I - If cancer is limited to the foreskin, treatment will be wide local excision and circumcision. If cancer is only on the glans, treatment may involve the use of a Fluorouracil cream or microsurgery. If the tumour originating from the glans, has started to invade adjacent parts of the penis, partial penectomy with or without groin node dissection (GND), teletherapy. microsurgery, laser may involve.
For stage II - Stage II cancer may managed by amputation of the penis that is; partial penectomy, total penectomy or radical penectomy is an alternative approach. Radiation treatment may also involve.
For stage III - Treatment may be amputation of the penis, followed by removal of lymph nodes on both sides of the groin or amputation of the penis followed by partial or total penectomy, with one sided (unilateral) or both sided (bilateral) GND. Some form of penectomy followed by irradiation, Chemotherapy with or without irradiation.
For stage IV - Treatments are similar to that for Stage III cancer.
For recurrent - If the cancer has come back, treatment may partial or total penectomy, radiation, or chemotherapy.Biological therapy is also being conducted.

Ways to Reduce Penile Cancer

Penile cancer is very treatable and is often cured. Adding these tips to your daily routine can help to lower your penile cancer risk. The chance of recovery and choice of treatment depend on the stage of the cancer (whether it is just in the penis or has spread to other places), and the general state of health of the patient.

Clean the penis routinely and effectively, especially under your foreskin.
Practice safe sex and limit the number of sexual partners during your lifetime.
Do not smoke cigarettes. Cigarette smokers have a higher risk of developing penile cancer than non-smokers.
Know the symptoms of penile cancer (growths or sores on the penis or abnormal discharge or bleeding from the penis). Notify your doctor if you notice any of these changes.

Note : All statements given are only for information purpose. We are not responsible or liable for any problems related to the utilization of information on this site. We suggest that you consult a qualified doctor before trying any alternative health care remedies.