Penile Cancer

[WayneEarle]

Penile cancer sufferer / survivor. penectomy and bilateral node dissection on 2014, followed on with stage 2 lymphoedema in Dec 2014. Run charity in Australia and member of various support networks.

[JohnNicola]

Wayne, I like your wristband - a good reminder to guys! Sounds like you have been through the mill but seems you are still very active and occupied. Good for you!

[Hidden]

Thanks for putting this on Wayne. Can you highlight the key things guys should be looking out for? We men are a bit clueless about our health in general. All the best.

[Hidden]

Great post Wayne and great that you are involved with support groups. Any insights you might have for us would be appreciated. As a researcher into screening and early diagnosis of cancers, I know that there is a lot to do to get people to know their bodies.

[WayneEarle in reply to Hidden]

In early August 2013, I was referred to a dermatologist for this lesion which had spread beyond my GP’s control as he believed it to be skin cancer. In this same period, I also developed a small lesion on the base of my penis. During my visit to the dermatologist, he reviewed both lesions and followed through with a biopsy on my arm. However, he saw no link between the two and I was told it was a genital wart, at this time it was decided by the Specialist to concentrate on the lesion on my arm first and that he would treat the genital wart at a later date.

The following day, I received a positive result for SCC (squamous cell carcinoma) on my arm. The dermatologist suggested as the surgery was too large for him to deal with directly, I be referred to another specialist for the operation and ongoing treatment which included a skin graft.

Upon receiving this news, I was stressed and worried; I made another appointment to see my local GP to talk more about the cancer on my arm and to seek more advice about the “genital wart” on my penis. Again, though, I was assured it was just a wart and was prescribed ‘Wartec” cream and to use the cream on the genital wart as directed.

In late August 2013 I went to hospital to have the cancer removed from my arm. The skin graft was completed and a follow up treatment continued on for the next ten weeks or so.

Over the next 8 months I also visited the local doctor and dermatologist at least six more times regarding the wart on my penis as the cream was not working and it was getting larger.

Then in April 2014, eight months after my initial consultation with the dermatologist I was finally diagnosed with Bowens Disease, with invasive SCC. In short, it was Penile Cancer.

I was referred to a urologist who specialises in this form of cancer. I was told that I had to have penectomy due to the severity of my cancer growth.

[WayneEarle]

In early August 2013, I was referred to a dermatologist for this lesion which had spread beyond my GP’s control as he believed it to be skin cancer. In this same period, I also developed a small lesion on the base of my penis. During my visit to the dermatologist, he reviewed both lesions and followed through with a biopsy on my arm. However, he saw no link between the two and I was told it was a genital wart, at this time it was decided by the Specialist to concentrate on the lesion on my arm first and that he would treat the genital wart at a later date.

The following day, I received a positive result for SCC (squamous cell carcinoma) on my arm. The dermatologist suggested as the surgery was too large for him to deal with directly, I be referred to another specialist for the operation and ongoing treatment which included a skin graft.

Upon receiving this news, I was stressed and worried; I made another appointment to see my local GP to talk more about the cancer on my arm and to seek more advice about the “genital wart” on my penis. Again, though, I was assured it was just a wart and was prescribed ‘Wartec” cream and to use the cream on the genital wart as directed.

In late August 2013 I went to hospital to have the cancer removed from my arm. The skin graft was completed and a follow up treatment continued on for the next ten weeks or so.

Over the next 8 months I also visited the local doctor and dermatologist at least six more times regarding the wart on my penis as the cream was not working and it was getting larger.

Then in April 2014, eight months after my initial consultation with the dermatologist I was finally diagnosed with Bowens Disease, with invasive SCC. In short, it was Penile Cancer.

I was referred to a urologist who specialises in this form of cancer. I was told that I had to have penectomy due to the severity of my cancer growth.

[WayneEarle]

*Squamous cell carcinoma 95% of penile cancer is squamous cell carcinoma. Squamous cells are skin cells that can become cancerous. They can become cancerous on any part of the penis but usually develop on or under the foreskin. This type of cancer has the potential to spread to other areas around the penis and sometimes other parts of the body and is usually treated aggressively. A rarer form of this cancer is called Veruccous carcinoma, which tends to be less aggressive.

*Basal cell penile cancer Basal cells are skin cells from the outer lining of the skin which may become cancerous. Less than 2% of penile cancers are basal cell cancers.

*Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that starts in melanocytes, the cells that make the brownish color in the skin that helps protect it from the sun. These cancers tend to grow and spread quickly and are more dangerous than the more common types of skin cancer. Melanomas are most often found in sun-exposed skin, but rarely they occur in other areas like the penis. Only a very small portion of penile cancers are melanomas

*Sarcoma About 1% of penile cancers are sarcomas, which are cancers that develop in the tissues that support and connect the body, such as blood vessels, muscle, and fat.

[WayneEarle]

checkyourtackle.com/causes-...

[Hidden]

Thanks Wayne for your story and the information.

[timmyboy20]

Thanks for the information. One question: do you know if you can get it if you're circumcised?

[WayneEarle in reply to timmyboy20]

yes I was circumcised as a baby back in 1967