Tag: penis cancer

Penile melanosis: What to know

Penile melanosis is a rare condition that causes discolored areas of skin on the head and shaft of the penis.

This article is a repost which originally appeared on MedicalNewsToday

These patches are dark brown and may be slightly or significantly darker than the surrounding skin on the penis.

Penile melanosis does not cause any other symptoms. The condition is not infectious or contagious, and there is no way to pass it on to other people. However, the exact cause is still unknown.

Penile melanosis is generally harmless and does not require treatment. Some people may choose to have cosmetic procedures to remove the spots, though.

In this article, learn more about penile melanosis, including the causes, associated conditions, and treatment options.

What is penile melanosis?

Penile melanosis refers to patches of brown or dark brown skin on the penis. These spots are typically large and flat, with each one appearing alone.

Melanin is one of the main pigments in the skin, and people with more melanin have a darker skin tone. Melanosis refers to a buildup of melanin.

Penile melanosis may also involve other pigment compounds in the skin, such as:

hemosiderin
lipofuscin
ferrous sulfate

As these pigment compounds build up, they can cause a noticeable change in the skin’s color. This hyperpigmentation appears in patches on the penis, rather than affecting the entire penis.

Causes

Doctors are not sure why some people develop penile melanosis. It is simply a buildup of pigment cells within the skin, which can occur in other locations as well.

However, possible risk factors that may increase a person’s chances of developing penile melanosis include:

Age: While penile melanosis can affect people of any age, it mostly appears between the ages of 15 and 72 years.
Genetics: There may be a genetic component to penile melanosis.
Injuries: Previous injury to the penis may play a role, as the formation of scar tissue can lead to hyperpigmentation.
Certain skin treatments: Treatment with certain drugs, such as anthralin or PUVA therapy, may increase the risk of penile melanosis.

Penile melanosis and lichen sclerosus

Penile melanosis may also have a link to another uncommon skin condition called lichen sclerosus.

Lichen sclerosus causes thin, pale patches of skin, usually in the genitals or hands. A 2017 case studyTrusted Source of an older man found an association between the penile melanosis and lichen sclerosus on his penis.

However, this does not mean that one of these conditions causes the other. It simply suggests that there may be a link between them.

Penile melanosis and cancer

Some people may worry that discolorations such as these will lead to melanoma, a form of skin cancer. Penile melanoma is very rare.

Penile melanoma may cause darker spots of skin similar to those of penile melanosis, but typically just on the head of the penis. These may grow, change color, and bleed.

When a doctor diagnoses penile melanosis, they will be sure to rule out the possibility of the lesions being cancerous. Therefore, once they have confirmed their diagnosis, this means that the lesions are not putting the person at risk of cancer.

A person may see a dermatologist at set intervals to monitor the condition and ensure that there are no signs of melanoma. There is no direct evidence that penile melanosis will lead to cancer, however.

Treatment and removal

As penile melanosis is a simple buildup of pigment cells in the skin, it does not require any treatment.

However, if a person feels that the pigment on the skin makes the penis unsightly or makes their sexual partners uncomfortable, there are cosmetic treatment options available. In many cases, it is possible to remove the patches of pigmented skin.

Laser therapy may help remove pigmented skin lesions or reduce their appearance. As a cosmetic procedure, laser therapy can also remove sunspots, scars, or even pigment from tattoos.

This process can take time, and a person will often need multiple sessions to remove the pigment. In some cases, the pigmentation will not go away completely but will get significantly fainter.

Some people may wish to have surgery to remove the spots. Surgery for penile melanosis involves removing the skin with the pigment and grafting new skin to the area.

Healing after surgery takes time. The surgery may also leave small scars, which can be unsightly if the person is worried about the appearance of their penis.

Removal procedures are only skin deep, and they should not affect a person’s sexual health or their ability to urinate.

Summary

Penile melanosis is a harmless condition. It occurs due to a buildup of pigment in the skin, which forms small dark lesions on the penis.

As this is the only symptom, the condition does not require treatment. However, some people still opt for removing the lesions or lightening them to reduce their appearance.

Anyone who does go through treatment to remove the lesions should not notice any changes in the function of their penis or their sexual health.

Discoloration on the penis can occur as a result of various causes, so anyone who notices any lesions or other changes should talk to a doctor or dermatologist for a diagnosis.

“Harmless Rash” Turns Out to Be Penile Cancer

I’ll admit, I’m not the best about immediately seeking medical care when I notice something isn’t quite right. But, Neil Walker’s story about how a “harmless rash” actually turned out to be penile cancer is definitely a cautionary tale about the importance of getting to a doctor as quickly as possible. The spread of penis cancer eventually led to the amputation of his penis.

Neil Walker’s Cautionary Tale

The ex-firefighter noticed a discoloration and what he and his doctors thought was simply a rash on the tip of his penis. The doctor gave Neil a steroidal cream to treat it, but it didn’t work. A month later and the condition hadn’t cleared up. He (smartly) insisted his doctor perform more tests.

Lo and behold, it was penis cancer.

“I noticed a rash on the head of my penis and I was given steroid cream by doctors at first as no one thought it was anything too serious,” he said.

“It wasn’t until I returned again a month later that I was referred to the hospital and was told it was penile cancer. As soon as they told me I was shocked, because I thought it was just a rash but suddenly I was entering a battle with cancer.”

Penis Amputation

In an effort to stop the spread of the cancer, he had the tip of his penis amputated in 2014. Surgeons were able to recreate the glans, using skin from his leg. However, because he hadn’t received treatment early enough, two months later, he had to have the lymph nodes in his groin removed.

“This left me with nothing to fight off infection from the waist down, so I began contracting sepsis four times a year and constantly being on death’s door. Then, after thinking I was doing ok and completely on the mend, I noticed another rash on my penis in August 2017 and I knew the cancer had returned.

In this time, I also lost my eyesight in both eyes because of thrombolysis – which has caused complications with my further cancer treatment. In March this year, after more biopsies, I had to have my entire penis amputated and I now urinate out of a make-shift hole behind my testicles.”

Devastated, Neil now is using his story to help other men become more aware of this form of cancer, trying to bring some good out of his tragedy.

Signs of Penile Cancer

If you have any of these symptoms – GO SEE A DOCTOR. It may be nothing, but waiting can mean the difference literally between life & death.

A growth or ulcer on the penis, especially on the glans or foreskin
Changes in the colour of the penis
Skin thickening on the penis
Persistent discharge with foul odour beneath the foreskin
Blood coming from the tip of the penis or under the foreskin
Unexplained pain in the shaft or tip of the penis
Irregular or growing bluish-brown flat lesions or marks beneath the foreskin or on the body of the penis
Reddish, velvety rash beneath the foreskin
Small, crusty bumps beneath the foreskin
Irregular swelling at the end of the penis

Read our post – Six Penile Cancer Symptoms You Need to Pay Attention To for more info on penis cancer.

penile cancer penile cancer symptoms penis cancer penis cancer symptoms penis health

Six Penile Cancer Symptoms You Need to Pay Attention To

Cancer of the penis (penile cancer) is probably one of the least talked about cancer types, but can be just as deadly as other cancers. For this reason, like with all cancers, the sooner you get to a doctor and start treatment, the better. Let’s look at six symptoms you should pay attention to, because they may be warning signs of penile cancer.

A Sore or Growth on the Penis – If you see a sore or wart-like growth on your penis, and it doesn’t heal after a week, it’s time to see a doctor. Although this may be something non-life threatening, it could be a symptom of an STD or penis cancer.
.
Other Changes of the Penile Skin – The skin of the penis is often the first sign of penis cancer, so if you see any changes to your penis’s skin, see your doctor. These include: red, velvety rash, crusty bumps or flat, bluish to brown lumps.
.
Bleeding from the Penis – If you experience bleeding from the penis, this could be a sign of cancer. Or it may be something less severe, such as a urinary tract infection or STD. Either way, it’s definitely a symptom that should be looked at by your doctor immediately.
.
Bleeding from under the Foreskin – This may also be a sign of penile cancer. In addition to bleeding, if there’s a foul-smelling discharge coming from your foreskin, or you find it hard to draw your foreskin back from your glans – see a doctor.
..
Penile Swelling – Swelling at the end of your penis is another symptom that should be looked at by your physician immediately.
.
Groin Area Lumps – If penis cancer spreads, it often first spreads to the lymph glands located in the groin area. This can then often be felt as lumps under the skin. However, swelling of lymph nodes may also mean your body is responding to an infection. Either way, a trip to the doctor is definitely needed.
.

Although penile cancer is not common, any changes in your penis’s health should be cause for your concern. If anything strange appears, see your doctor. It’s better that you go to the doctor and it be nothing, then not go and miss out on early treatment.

cancer penile cancer penis cancer symptoms