Male Genital Tract

Abstract

Tumours of the male genital tract, including those of the prostate gland, testis, and penis, are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. In western culture, aside from skin tumours, prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer found in men. In male adolescents and young adults germ cell tumours of the testis are the most common type of solid tumour cancer. Carcinoma of the penis, although uncommon in the industrialized world, accounts for up to 20% of male malignancies in less developed parts of the world. The epidemiology and pathology of these diseases have become well characterized. Applied immunohistochemical and in situ hybridization techniques continue to refine pathologic classification and diagnosis. Aetiologies, unfortunately, remain elusive. Undoubtedly, the accumulating wealth of data on genes and proteins will eventually unravel the molecular pathogenesis of these tumours. Continued progress will see application of these data to aid prevention, assessment of prognosis, and treatment.