Carcinoma of Skin of Penis

Abstract

Like the Jews, the Ibos or Igbos of Nigeria ritually circumcise males on the eighth day of birth. A retrospective review of approximately 15,000 surgical specimens collected from this ethnic group over a period of 13 years revealed 32 cases of carcinoma of the prostate but only 4 cases of penile carcinoma. One tumour arose on the glans penis. This localisation pattern suggests that, in circumcised males, smegma-induced squamous carcinoma of the glans can be abolished but not the ordinary squamous carcinoma that can develop by chance on the rest of the penis as well as on the glans. International urology would benefit from careful documentation of squamous carcinoma affecting various parts of the neonatally circumcised penile skin.

Resistant metastatic penile carcinoma and response to biochemotherapy with paclitaxel and epidermal growth factor receptor monoclonal antibody, nimotuzumab

“…[5,6] Neonatal circumcision commonly practiced in Jews has a preventive role as demonstrated by decrease in incidence of penile carcinoma among men who were circumscribed in early childhood. [5,7] Higher incidence of penile and cervical carcinoma with concordance among married couple in Hindu population but not in Muslims reiterates the significance of circumcision, HPV infection, and poor post-coital genital hygiene as risk factors for carcinogenesis. [8,9] Early localized penile carcinoma has an excellent outcome with more than 70% long-term survival with local penile conservative approach using surgery or radiotherapy.…”

Circumcision Preceded Epidermoid Cysts of the Penis in a Nigerian Ethnic Group

“…This is with reference to a good result that follows male circumcision among the Igbos. Thus, as I published elsewhere, [5] squamous cell carcinoma of the glans penis is rare in the Igbos. Indeed, this led me to conclude thus: "International urology would benefit from careful documentation of squamous carcinoma affecting various parts of the neontally circumcised penile skin.…”

Prevention of Cancer

“…As I showed [4], if an Igbo ever has penis cancer, it is usually found not at the tip but along the shaft -just like cancer formed by chance in any other, skin area.…”