Updates on the epidemiology and risk factors for penile cancer

Abstract

Penile cancer is a rare neoplasm representing less than 1% of all malignancies in the USA and Europe but is a significant public health hazard in the developing world. Male neonatal circumcision has been associated with a dramatic decrease in penile cancer rates with countries such as Israel, where circumcision is widely performed, having the lowest incidence in the world at <0.1% of malignancies. Many risk factors have been identified for penile cancer including phimosis, lack of circumcision, obesity, lichen sclerosis, chronic inflammation, smoking, UVA phototherapy, socioeconomic status, human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and immune compromised states. The relationship between these factors and invasive disease varies and continues to be investigated. Our objective was to present a contemporary overview of the epidemiology and risk factors for invasive penile cancer.

Mutational landscape of penile squamous cell carcinoma in a Chinese population

“…Penile cancer is a relatively rare cancer, and the incidence shows a large geographical variation . Penile cancer is rare in developed countries but is much more common in developing countries, and it is one of the significant public health concerns in the developing world . Based on the data from the National Central Cancer Registry of China, the overall incidence of penile cancer in Chinese males was 0.60/100,000 and the mortality was 0.18/100,000 in 2011 .…”

“…Several risk factors for penile cancer have been identified, including human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, phimosis and poor hygiene, smoking, chronic inflammation and socioeconomic status . Male circumcision, especially in the neonatal/infant period, has been found to have a protective role in penile cancer, as well as penile inflammation .…”

“…4 The 5-year survival rate is over 60% in European countries, 5,6 and a significant racial disparity in survival outcomes was observed between African American and Caucasian American men, indicating a difference in tumor biology for different populations. 7 Several risk factors for penile cancer have been identified, including human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, 8 phimosis and poor hygiene, 9 smoking, 10 chronic inflammation 3,11 and socioeconomic status. 3,12 Male circumcision, especially in the neonatal/infant period, has been found to have a protective role in penile cancer, 13 as well as penile inflammation.…”

“…7 Several risk factors for penile cancer have been identified, including human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, 8 phimosis and poor hygiene, 9 smoking, 10 chronic inflammation 3,11 and socioeconomic status. 3,12 Male circumcision, especially in the neonatal/infant period, has been found to have a protective role in penile cancer, 13 as well as penile inflammation. 14 Compared to the prevalence in developed countries (such as the United States 13 and Australia 15 ), the prevalence of male circumcision in China is very low.…”

Disparities in human papillomavirus–related cancer incidence and survival among human immunodeficiency virus–infected Hispanics living in the United States

“…Although results are inconsistent, associations have been reported between male circumcision and lower HPV incidence and increased HPV clearance for certain HPV types, and randomized trials have shown a protective effect of this medical procedure for HPV and other sexually transmitted infections . Other potential risk factors for penile cancer include tobacco use, poor genital hygiene, and a lower socioeconomic status …”