Penile Cancer: Causes, Types and PET CT as Diagnostic Tool

In this article, we will discuss penile cancer, its causes, types and PET CT as a diagnostic tool for the detection of penile cancer. We will also discuss some common questions related to penile cancer.

Penile cancer occurs in the penis, which is reproductive part in males. Abnormal changes or genetic mutations in the cells of the penis can lead to the development of unhealthy cells, resulting in tumor formation. In advanced (metastatic) stages, these tumours may spread to other parts of the body and can become life-threatening. Early detection of the penile can be game changer in treating the cancer at the earliest stages. Detecting the cancer at the earliest stage can be done through PET CT, it is advanced radiological tool for diagnosis. PET CT also helps to design the treatment for the penile cancer and also shows the effect of treatment.

What is Penile Cancer?

Penis is situated between the legs with scrotum and is reproductive organ in males. This helps in urinating and sexual intercourse.. Penis is made up of spongy tissue and blood vessels which helps the penis to get erected at the time of intercourse. Penile cancer is rare type of cancer usually occurs at the head or foreskin of penis. Cells of penis divide in uncontrolled manner leading to the formation f tumours and theses tumours after metastatic stage can reach to different parts of the body.

What are the Causes of Penile Cancer?

It is believed that unhealthy cells growths because of genetic changes in the penis leads tot he penile cancers. Other factors that may be the cause of penile cancer are:

Infection of HPV (human papilloma virus)
HIV infection
Older age above 50 years
Being uncircumcised
Lichen sclerosis
Phimosis
Poor hygiene
Tobacco use

Which Types of Penile Cancers are detected by PET CT Scan?

There are various types of penile cancers that can be detected by the PET CT scan and these cancers include:

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)
Melanoma
Basal cell carcinoma
Adenocarcinoma
Urothelial carcinoma
Sarcoma

What is PET CT used to show in the diagnosis of Penile Cancer?

PET CT can show a number of conditions in the penile cancer and these include:

Stage of penile cancer
Recurrence of penile cancer
Distant metastases
Lymph node metastases
High FDG uptake
Site of penile cancer
Helps to design the treatment for penile cancer

List of PET CT Scans Available at Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging Centre other then penile cancer

Brain PET scan (Book Now)
F-18 Choline PET Scan (Book Now)
FDG-PET Scan (Book Now)
DOTA PET CT Scan (Book Now)
Whole Body PET Scan (Book Now)
PSMA PET Scan For Prostate (Book Now)
Dopa Brain PET Scan (Book Now)
PET Viability Scan Cardiac (Book Now)
Cardiac PET Scan (Book Now)

Conclusion

Penile cancer occurs in the penis, which is reproductive part in males. The unhealthy cells of penis grow due to some abnormal changes or genetic mutation leads to the formation of tumours. Penis is the situated between the legs in lower abdomen and is used for urination and sexual intercourse. Penis is made up of spongy tissue and blood vessels which helps the penis to get erected at the time of intercourse. There is not specific cause of penile cancer; there are various factors which leads this condition like HPV infection, HIV infection, mutation in cells, unhygienic etc. Various types of cancers detected by PET CT in penis is Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), Melanoma, Basal cell carcinoma, Adenocarcinoma, Urothelial carcinoma etc. PET CT is effective diagnostic tool used to show different conditions in the penile cancer and these include staging of penile cancer, spread, effect of treatment etc. Early detection is important for the cancer to get treated and stop the spread of penile cancer.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is Penile Cancer?

Penile cancer occurs due to uncontrolled division of cells in the penis of males. The condition may be due to some genetic change in the penile cells which leads to the formation of tumours.

What are the Causes of Penile Cancer?

There is not specific cause of penile cancer; there are various factors which leads this condition like HPV infection, HIV infection, mutation in cells, unhygienic etc..