Squamous cell cancer of the penis is characterized by which of the following clinical manifestations?

Question

A) Erectile dysfunction with prolonged erection
B) Herpes ulcerations on the penile shaft
C) Painless lump on the inner surface of the prepuce
D) Smegma accumulation in uncircumcised male requiring regular reminders about hygiene

Answer 1

Ans: C
Feedback:
The cause of penile cancer is unknown. Invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the penis usually begins as a small lump or ulcer on the glans or inner surface of the prepuce. Several risk factors have been suggested, including poor hygiene, human papillomavirus infections (rather than herpes simplex virus infections), ultraviolet radiation exposure, and immunodeficiency states. There is an association between penile cancer and poor genital hygiene and phimosis. Circumcision confers protection, and hence cancer of the penis is extremely rare in men circumcised at birth. It is thought that circumcision is associated with better genital hygiene, which, in turn, reduces exposure to carcinogens that may accumulate in smegma and decreases the likelihood of potentially oncogenic strains of HPV. Erectile dysfunction can be the result of depression, androgen level imbalance, systemic medications, or arterial insufficiency that are unrelated to squamous cell tissue changes.