penile disease

Penile diseases and disorders can be quite varied, affecting different aspects of male reproductive health. Here are some key points to consider:

• Priapism: A condition where the penis remains erect for an extended period, often due to a blood clot or other medical issue.
• Balanitis: Inflammation of the glans (head) of the penis, which can be caused by infection, irritation, or other factors.
• Penile fracture: A serious injury that occurs when the tunica albuginea (a layer of tissue in the penis) is torn, often due to sudden bending or trauma.
• Penile cancer: A rare but serious condition where abnormal cells grow on the skin of the

Common Signs and Symptoms of Penile Diseases

Penile diseases can manifest in various ways, making it essential to be aware of the possible symptoms. Here are some common signs and symptoms associated with penile conditions:

• Changes on the skin: Warts, bumps, sores, rash, or blisters on the penis and genital area
• Swelling: Swollen penis, which can be painful and tender to touch
• Itching: Itchy sensations on the penis, which can be accompanied by a strong-smelling discharge
• Painful erections: Pain experienced during an erection, which can be caused by conditions like Peyronie's disease
• Abnormal discharge: Yellow or green discharge from the tip of the penis, indicating possible infection
• Loss of length and girth: Shortening or loss of circumference in the penis, often associated with Peyronie's disease

Other Possible Symptoms

In addition to these common signs and symptoms, some penile diseases may also cause:

• Pain when urinating: Pain experienced during urination, which can be a sign of infection
• Rash or blisters: Red bumps or blisters on the penis, indicating possible skin conditions like balanitis
• Strong-smelling discharge: A foul odor from the penis, often associated with infections

Important Note

It's essential to seek medical attention if you experience any unusual symptoms or discomfort in your genital area. Early detection and treatment can help prevent complications and improve outcomes.

References:

[3] This condition can cause inflammation of the head of the penis, also called balanitis, a rash, differently colored patches of skin on the penis, itching or burning, and a white discharge. [4] What are the symptoms of Peyronie’s disease? The primary symptom of Peyronie’s disease is a curve or bend in your penis. You may also be able to feel scar tissue under the skin. Other symptoms of Peyronie’s disease include: A loss of length in your penis. Loss of girth in your shaft, which may look like an indent or have an hourglass shape. [5] Penile conditions have varying signs and symptoms. Some of the more common symptoms of penile conditions include: Changes on the skin of the penis and genital area, including warts, bumps, sores and rash Swelling of the penis Itching of the penis Bleeding on or from the penis Painful erections [6] Symptoms of balanitis can include penile pain, swelling and itching, a rash on the penis, and a strong-smelling discharge from the penis. [9] Signs and symptoms of penis problems · problems getting or keeping your penis erect · yellow or green discharge from the tip of your penis · pain when you pee ... [10] What are the signs of poor penile hygiene? Regularly washing and properly drying your penis and the surrounding areas can help prevent: Smegma. Smegma is a thick, white or yellow ...

Diagnostic Tests for Penile Diseases

Penile diseases can be diagnosed through various tests, which help identify the underlying cause of symptoms. Here are some common diagnostic tests used to diagnose penile conditions:

• Blood Tests: Blood tests may be ordered to detect infection or diseases and disorders that could be causing symptoms. They may also be used to check for electrolyte imbalance [1].
• Penile Doppler Ultrasound: This test uses sound waves to make images of soft tissues inside the body, helping to diagnose conditions such as erectile dysfunction [7].
• Urinalysis: A sample of urine may be sent to a lab to check for signs of heart disease, diabetes, low testosterone levels, and other health conditions [12].
• Penile Biopsy: A biopsy is a diagnostic test that involves taking a small sample of tissue from the penis. This can help diagnose conditions such as penile cancer [9].
• Nocturnal Penile Tumescence (NPT) Testing: This test monitors erections while you sleep, which can help determine if the cause of erectile dysfunction is physical or emotional [13][14].
• Intracavernosal Injection Test: During this test, a medicine is injected into the side of the penis to make an erection. If no erection occurs, it may indicate a problem with blood flow or nerve function [10][11].

These diagnostic tests can help identify the underlying cause of penile symptoms and guide treatment decisions.

References:

[1] - Blood tests to detect infection or diseases and disorders that could be causing your symptoms; blood tests may also be used to check for electrolyte imbalance. [7] - Penile Doppler Ultrasound [9] - A biopsy. This may be an excisional biopsy if the cancer is small or the lesion is confined to the prepuce ... [10] - An injection test is also called an intracavernosal test. Your doctor injects a medicine into the base of your penis that should give you an erection. [11] - Learn about the different tests used to diagnose penile disorders and what to expect during the process. [12] - A sample of your blood might be sent to a lab to check for signs of heart disease, diabetes, low testosterone levels and other health conditions. Urine tests (urinalysis). [13] - Tests are usually done for at least 2 nights in a row. If good erections occur during sleep, the cause of the erection problems is most likely not physical. [14] - This might include careful examination of your penis and testicles and checking your nerves for sensation.

Treatment Options for Penile Diseases

Penile diseases can be treated using various medications, depending on the underlying condition. Here are some common drug treatments:

• Peyronie's Disease: Verapamil is a low-cost option that may help reduce pain and curvature in the penis (4). Intralesional collagenase injections (Xiaflex) are currently the only FDA-approved treatment for Peyronie's disease, which involves breaking down fibrous tissue with an enzyme (5).
• Erectile Dysfunction: Treatment options include oral medications like tadalafil (Cialis), which can help improve blood flow to the penis (3). Other treatments may involve addressing underlying health issues, such as cardiovascular disease or high blood pressure.
• Priapism: This condition requires emergency treatment to prevent permanent damage. Medications like alprostadil and phenylephrine may be used to treat priapism (11).
• Penile Cancer: Treatment options for penile cancer include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.

Medications Used in Penile Disease Treatment

Some common medications used in the treatment of penile diseases include:

• Tadalafil (Cialis) - oral medication for erectile dysfunction
• Verapamil - low-cost option for treating Peyronie's disease
• Alprostadil - medication used to treat priapism
• Phenylephrine - medication used to treat priapism

Important Considerations

It is essential to consult a healthcare professional before starting any treatment regimen. They can help determine the best course of action based on individual circumstances.

References:

[3] Oral medications may include: Tadalafil (Cialis®). Taking tadalafil every day can improve blood flow to the penis. [4] Verapamil appears to be a good, low-cost option for the treatment of Peyronie's disease. More controlled studies are needed to prove how well it works. [5] Intralesional collagenase injections (Xiaflex) are currently the only FDA-approved treatment for Peyronie's disease. Collagenase is an enzyme that helps break down fibrous tissue. [11] Priapism can cause permanent damage to your penis without emergency treatment. Certain prescription and nonmedical drugs may be used to treat priapism.

The differential diagnosis of penile diseases involves identifying and ruling out other conditions that may present with similar symptoms to a particular condition. In the context of penile lesions, the differential diagnoses include:

• Papulosquamous lesions: such as psoriasis, lichen sclerosus, and lichen nitidus [4]
• Inflammatory lesions: including candida, erythrasma, seborrheic dermatitis, and contact dermatitis [3]
• Non-infectious penile lesions: classified by clinical presentation as papulosquamous (e.g., psoriasis), inflammatory (e.g., lichen sclerosus, lichen nitidus), or neoplastic [4]
• Penile cancer and precancer: which can include all the benign inflammatory dermatoses mentioned above, including lichen planus, as well as penile manifestations of extragenital dermatoses such as psoriasis and eczema [12]

Other conditions that may be considered in the differential diagnosis of penile diseases include:

• Penile fractures
• Erectile dysfunction
• Congenital penile abnormalities

It's worth noting that the differential diagnosis of penile lesions can be complex and difficult, especially when trying to rule out premalignant or malignant conditions [14].

References: [3] - Feb 26, 2024 [4] - by JMH Teichman · 2018 · Cited by 8 [12] - The differential diagnosis for penis cancer and precancer include all the benign inflammatory dermatoses mentioned above, including lichen sclerosus, particularly lichen planus (but this is extremely rare), as well as penile manifestations of the classically extragenital dermatoses – psoriasis and eczema. [14] - Sometimes the differential diagnosis of penile lesions is complex and difficult. In this #UROLOGYCHEATSHEET, we review some of the benign and premalignant lesions and their characteristics.