Medical alert for signs of penile cancer, a life-threatening condition

Manaus – Rare disease and slow initial development, penile cancer is still a myth in men. Caused by a lack of hygiene and, most importantly, by infections caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), the disease is more common in men over 50 years of age and can result in amputation of the badual organ if diagnosed late, explains the surgeon. Urologist of the Urology Center of the Amazon (Urocentro), Giuseppe Figliuolo

He explains that penile cancer begins with a small sore on the glans (head of the penis) or a wart that does not heal. Often, patients decide to use ointments, herbal teas, infusions, among others, in the illusion that the problem will be solved. But, over time, the lesion begins to show bleeding and then grows rapidly, taking sometimes irreversible proportions. "When we are treating in the initial phase, a minor surgical procedure tends to work and eliminate the focus of the disease.But the patient still needs to be followed up for a few years to be sure. to ensure that the cancer will not reappear. "

Already at an advanced stage, the disease can lead to amputation of an organ or even death. "Despite a much lower incidence than prostate cancer, for example, penis cancer is the one that brings the most traumatic results to people who are treated late, because men do not know the first signs and instead of looking for a specialist doctor, opt for inadequate treatment, without having any idea of ​​the diagnosis, "said the specialist.

The oncology surgeon therefore emphasizes the importance of this fact. make men aware of the importance of seeking medical help when needed. "Culturally, the male population still struggles to seek prevention and only seeks the doctor when the symptoms are obvious.It is the big mistake we made to correct because the more people become aware and understand that early diagnosis is the best way to treat such diseases, the more we will save lives and improve the quality of life of our patients ",

Giuseppe Figliuolo explains that the diagnosis of the disease begins with the clinical evaluation by a urologist doctor, followed by a biopsy (fragment harvest) for the purpose of pathological badysis, examination that will determine whether there is a malignant or benign lesion . the doctor recommends the correction of phimosis (inability to expose the glans), the use of condoms during intercourse and good penile hygiene, with water and soap, and withdrawal all secretions that lodge above or below the skin. "We are reminded, once again, that there are simple measures, secretions can accumulate and cause irritation, as well as ongoing inflammatory processes, which in the long run lead to development of cancer, "said the surgeon.