Abstract
Patients may present with a variety of different dermatological conditions affecting the penis, ranging from rashes and red patches to ulcers or problems with the foreskin. The majority of penile dermatoses are benign and harmless lesions, which can be managed with simple conservative measures. However, a small number of patients may present with premalignant or even early malignant lesions of the penis. Detecting the “wolf in sheep’s clothing” can be difficult but is essential to allow early referral and prompt curative treatment.
The aim of this chapter is to provide a stepwise, practical guide on how to identify and manage penile lesions and balanitis in the primary care setting. This will encompass how and when to perform basic investigations, and how to manage these patients appropriately without compromising their care or clinical outcome.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Bibliography
Bertram P, Treutner KH, Rubben A, et al. Invasive squamous cell carcinoma in giant anorectal condyloma (Buschke Lowenstein tumor). Langenbecks Arch Chir. 1995;380:115–8.
Bleeker MC, Heideman DA, Snijders PJ, Horenblas S, Dillner J, Meijer CJ. Penile cancer: epidemiology, pathogenesis and prevention. World J Urol. 2009;27(2):141–50.
Larke NL, Thomas SL, dos Santos Silva I, Weiss HA. Male circumcision and penile cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Cancer Causes Control. 2011;22(8):1097–110.
Lucia MS, Miller GJ. Histopathology of malignant lesions of the penis. Urol Clin North Am. 1992;19(2):227–46.
Mikhail GR. Cancers, precancers, and pseudocancers on the male genitalia: a review of clinical appearances, histopathology, and management. J Dermatol Surg Oncol. 1980;6:1027–35.
Minhas S, Manseck A, Watya S, Hegarty PK. Penile cancer-prevention and premalignant conditions. Urology. 2010;76(2 suppl 1):S24–35.
Nasca MR, Innocenzi D, Micali G. Penile cancer among patients with genital lichen sclerosus. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1999;41(6):911–4.
von Krogh G, Horenblas S. Diagnosis and clinical presentation of premalignant lesions of the penis. Scand J Urol Nephrol Suppl. 2000;205:201–14.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2013 Springer-Verlag London
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Alnajjar, H.M., Shabbir, M., Watkin, N.A. (2013). Penile Ulcer and Balanitis. In: Gontero, P., Kirby, R., Carson III, C. (eds) Problem Based Urology. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-4634-6_8
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-4634-6_8
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, London
Print ISBN: 978-1-4471-4633-9
Online ISBN: 978-1-4471-4634-6
eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)