Scientists Predict Surprising Rise In Penile Cancer Cases- What Men Need to Know About The HPV, Hygiene, & Basic Prevention

Understanding Penile Cancer

• A heightened number of penile cancer cases are being reported across the globe and a new investigation estimates a shocking 77 percent global increase in cases by 2050.
• Penile cancer is cancer that starts in the penis, which is the external male sex organ, and it’s rare, especially among men in North America and Europe. And one of the first signs of penile cancer is typically a change in the skin of the penis.
• The National Cancer Institute (NCI) notes that penile cancer often forms on or under the foreskin, and the human papillomavirus (HPV) is the cause for approximately one-third of penile cancer cases. Thankfully, when this disease is discovered early, it’s often curable.
• The human papillomavirus (HPV), the most common sexually transmitted disease, has been shown to be linked to a number of cancers including oral, anal, and penile cancers.
• According to research, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that HPV is responsible for 34,800 cases of cancer in the U.S. each year, 92 percent of which could be prevented with the HPV vaccine. First introduced in 2006 under its brand name Gardasil, this vaccine is extremely effective in preventing certain cancers.

More and more penile cancer cases are being reported across the globe and a new investigation is estimating a significant increase in cases—a whopping 77 percent— is expected globally by 2050. The shocking approximation of the rise in penile cancer was reported by a recent investigation by the BBC . According to the news outlet, Germany has already seen a 50 percent incline (1.2 to 1.8 per 100,000) in penile cases between 1961 and 2012. Cases in the U.K. and Brazil are also reportedly on the rise. The U.K. has seen penile cancer cases rise from 1.1 to 1.3 per 100,000 between 1979 and 2009. As for Brazil, 21,000 reported cases of penile cancer were declared between 2012 and 2022, as per the country's Ministry of Health, the BBC reports. Meanwhile, 4,000 men died from penile cancer in Brazil during that time and 6,500 men across the country needed to have penile amputations. For anyone concerned about these numbers, Maurício Dener Cordeiro, MD, PhD, of the Brazilian Society of Urology, told BBC, "Penile cancer is a rare disease but also highly preventable." RELATED: What You Need to Know About Penile Cancer Dr. Cordeiro also suggested that condom use during sex and surgery performed to remove the foreskin may could help reduce the rates of diagnosis. Additionally, Neil Barber, Clinical Lead for Urology at Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, told BBC, "Penile cancer is almost unheard of in the circumcised population. "Poor hygiene and infections beneath the foreskin, as well as conditions like phimosis that make it difficult to retract the foreskin and maintain good hygiene, are risk factors. This is linked to higher overall infection risks." Barber added, "Established risk factors also include unprotected sex, specifically not using condoms, with poor hygiene further increasing risks through this route." Overall, Dr. Cordeiro, warns that the human papillomavirus (HPV) is "one of the main risk factors" of penile cancer. He explained to BBS, "Mass vaccination against HPV is essential due to its high effectiveness in preventing related lesions. "In Brazil, despite the availability of the vaccine, the HPV vaccination rate remains low for girls - reaching only 57% - and for boys, it doesn't exceed 40%. ...The ideal coverage to prevent the disease is 90%." The BBC also reported that a 2022 analysis of 43 countries, which published in the journal JMIR Public Health and Surveillance, found that Uganda had the highest incidence of penile cancer, between 2008 and 2012 (at 2.2 per 100,000 people). As for those diagnosed with penile cancer in the later stages, an amputation may be necessary. The National Cancer Institute describes amputation of the penis as "surgery to remove part or all of the penis," adding, "If part of the penis is removed, it is a partial penectomy If all of the penis is removed, it is a total penectomy." Thiago Camelo Mourão, MD, PhD, urologist at AC Camargo Cancer Center in Brazil, told BBC, “In the case of partial amputation, urine continues to exit through the penis. “However, in total amputation, the urethral orifice can be relocated to the perineum, between the scrotum and the anus, requiring the patient to urinate while sitting on the toilet."

What Is Penile Cancer?

Penile cancer is cancer that starts in the penis, which is the external male sex organ, and it's rare, especially among men in North America and Europe. And one of the first signs of penile cancer is typically a change in the skin of the penis. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), penile cancer is diagnosed in fewer than 1 man in 100,000 each year and accounts for fewer than 1% of cancers in men across the United States. It's also significantly more common in some parts of Asia, Africa, and South America, as per the ACS.

Expert Resources on HPV-Related Cancers

• ‘People Need to Know That HPV Can Cause These Cancers’: Survivor Pushes for HPV Vaccine Education
• A Major New Effort Announced to Vaccinate Young Boys Against HPV and Cancers Linked to Sex
• Busting the Myths About the HPV Vaccine
• HPV Is Responsible For 5% Of Cancers In The World: An Advocate’s Crucial Message
• HPV and Cancer Risk: The Basics
• Should I Give My Kids the HPV Vaccine? A Leading Doctor On Why She Says “Yes!”

This year, about 2,100 new cases of penile cancer will be diagnosed in men in the U.S., and about 500 people will die from this type of cancer. RELATED: Professional Clown Has Penis Amputated After Being Diagnosed With Penile Cancer The National Cancer Institute (NCI) notes that penile cancer often forms on or under the foreskin, and the human papillomavirus (HPV) is the cause for approximately one-third of penile cancer cases. Thankfully, when this disease is discovered early, it's often curable.

Signs & Symptoms

According to ACS , some other symptoms of this cancer include:

• An area of skin becoming thicker
• Changes in the skin color
• A lump
• An ulcer (sore) that might bleed
• A reddish, velvety rash under the foreskin
• Small, crusty bumps
• Flat, bluish-brown growths
• Smelly discharge (fluid) or bleeding under the foreskin
• Swelling
• Lumps under the skin in the groin area

RELATED: Man Who Passed From Penile Cancer Spent Last Years Encouraging Men to Prioritize Their Health

Types of Penile Cancer

As previously mentioned, most times, the first sign of penile cancer is a change in the skin. And that's due to almost all penile cancers starting in skin cells of the organ. However, each type of tissue (skin) in the penis contains different types of cells. And different types of penile cancer can start from these cells. HPV Can Cause Anal, Oral, and Penile Cancers The differences between the types of penile cancer are important because they "determine the seriousness of the cancer and the type of treatment needed," the ACS explains. The different types of penile cancer include:

• Squamous cell carcinoma : About 95% of penile cancers start in flat skin cells called squamous cells.
• Verrucous carcinoma : This type of cancer growing on the penis is also known as Buschke-Lowenstein tumor. It's an "uncommon form"of squamous cell cancer that can start in the skin in many areas.
• Carcinoma in situ (CIS) : This is the earliest stage of squamous cell cancer of the penis.
• Melanoma : The deadliest form of skin cancer; melanoma starts in melanocytes.
• Basal cell carcinoma : This is another type of skin cancer that can develop on the penis.
• Adenocarcinoma (Paget disease of the penis): This very rare type of penile cancer can develop from sweat glands in the skin of the penis.
• Sarcoma : A small number of penile cancers are sarcomas. These cancers develop from blood vessels, smooth muscle or other connective tissue cells of the penis.

Meanwhile, some known risk factors for penile cancer include:

• HPV Infection: Infection with certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV) can cause changes in the penile cells, which over time, might lead to penile cancer.
• Smoking: Smoking can significantly increase the risk of penile cancer, especially in individuals infected with HPV.
• Age: Penile cancer is more likely to occur in men aged 60 and above.
• Phimosis: This condition, where the foreskin cannot be pulled back over the tip of the penis, can increase the risk of penile cancer. It’s often linked to inflammation and infection.
• Psoriasis treatment: In rare cases, certain treatments for psoriasis, a skin condition, can increase the risk of developing penile cancer.
• Genital warts, UTIs, penile injury: If you have a history of any of these conditions be mindful of any changes.

HPV & It's Connection to Penile Cancer

The human papillomavirus (HPV) , the most common sexually transmitted disease, has been shown to be linked to a number of cancers including oral, anal, and penile cancers. RELATED: Bus Driver, 54, Who Struggled to Pee Says He Had an Unusual Pea-Sized Freckle ‘Down There’ That Turned out To Be Penile Cancer. He Now Copes With Shame Surrounding Diagnosis About 80% of people who are sexually active end up infected with HPV at some point in their lives. Most of the time, the body's immune system naturally clears the HPV on its own and the person never experiences health problems or symptoms. But in some cases, if someone has contracted one of the "high-risk" strains of HPV, the infection might linger over a long period of time, ultimately damaging cell DNA and resulting in cancer-causing mutations. RELATED: What is HPV? And Does it Cause Cancer? According to research, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that HPV is responsible for 34,800 cases of cancer in the U.S. each year, 92 percent of which could be prevented with the HPV vaccine. First introduced in 2006 under its brand name Gardasil , this vaccine is extremely effective in preventing certain cancers. Anal cancer survivor Justine Almada on why she advocates for HPV awareness When something in your body seems or feels unusual, it never hurts to talk to a doctor about it. Of course this is often much easier said than done. Unlike women, who will report symptoms to their doctor but sometimes be brushed off , men sometimes ignore a doctor visit as long as possible. Testicular Cancer Survivor Todd Rosenbluth Says Don't Ignore Symptoms, Go To The Doctor If Something Feels Wrong Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff