Carcinoma of the penis causes

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Editor(s)-in-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Phone:617-632-7753, Swathi Venkatesan, M.B.B.S.[2]

Overview

Carcinoma of the penis is most commonly caused by an infection with human papillomavirus, lack of circumcision, phimosis, smegma, smoking and other tobacco use, UV light treatment of psoriasis as well as immunocompromised states such as AIDS.

Human papillomavirus^[1] ^[2]

Infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV) is associated with penile cancer. Most sexually active men will be exposed to HPV at some time in their life.
The types of HPV are often grouped into low and high risk according to their association with cancer.

Low-risk HPV types such as 6 and 11 rarely cause cancer, but they can cause warts on or around the genitals. Men with penile cancer often report having a history of genital warts.
High-risk HPV types are more likely to lead to cancer. In particular, HPV types 16 and 18 are linked to penile cancer. The exact role that these viruses play in the development of penile cancer is not clear.

Lack of Circumcision

Circumcision removes all (or part) of the foreskin
This procedure is most often done in infants, but it can be done later in life as well
Men who are circumcised can’t develop the condition called phimosis, and they don’t accumulate material known as smegma

Phimosis

In men who are not circumcised, the foreskin can sometimes become tight and difficult to retract
Penile cancer is more common in men with phimosis
Due to build-up of smegma or from inflammation that results from phimosis

Smegma

Secretions can build up underneath an intact foreskin
If the area under the foreskin isn’t cleaned well, these secretions build up enough to become a thick, odorous substance known as smegma
Smegma is more common in men with phimosis
Can occur in anyone with a foreskin if the foreskin isn't retracted regularly to clean the head of the penis
It can irritate and inflame the penis eventually leading to penile carcinoma

Smoking and other tobacco use

UV light treatment for psoriasis

Treated with drugs called psoralens and then an ultraviolet A (UVA) light source. This is called PUVA therapy
To help lower this risk, men being treated with PUVA now have their genitals covered during treatment

Immunocompromised states Poor genital hygiene