Priapism and the Prevention and Treatment of Penile Cancer

> **rash** **children?**

Sometimes, rashes or blisters may appear on the glans or shaft of your penis for no apparent reason.

In many cases, this is due to overly vigorous or dry sexual intercourse.

However, if the rash persists, do not hesitate to see a doctor immediately.

"The usual concern is penile cancer," Dr. Sain said.

"You must be constantly vigilant for either of the following two situations: the rash worsens or functional impairment occurs."

If the redness does not subside after more than a week, or if there is oozing from the abrasion, you should see your doctor immediately.

> **Did it fall down?**

Finally, if your penis is bitten off, pulled out, or cut off, you probably won't have time to consult this book anymore.

However, just in case, if your penis breaks off, Dr. Sain recommends taking the following four steps:

> 1. Apply pressure to the wound, or apply a tourniquet to the broken root.

2. If possible, retrieve your penis (if not, proceed directly to step 4).

3. Place the penis in ice.

4. Go to the hospital.

**Quick Facts**

>

Penile cancer **·** **A sexually transmitted disease you've rarely heard of**

>

Penile cancer may not be a problem you'll encounter: it accounts for less than 1% of all malignant tumors that afflict American men.

"Even doctors who specialize in treating cancer may only encounter one case of penile cancer every two to three years," said Juseff Fuller, associate professor of dermatology at the University of Louisville School of Medicine/Health Services Center.

Due to its rarity, many well-known medical references do not include any information about this disease.

>

However, for some reason, we still need to be cautious about penile cancer: a sexually transmitted virus associated with cervical cancer in women may potentially trigger penile cancer.

This virus is the human papillomavirus (HPV), and its infection rate is currently rising rapidly.

A study found that 33% of men who had sexual relations with women with precancerous cervical cell lesions developed penile dysfunction that was precancerous.

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Penile cancer is easy to detect, but it is not easily distinguishable from other less severe diseases by the naked eye.

It typically presents as a red patch the size of a penny, which is very similar to the symptoms of fungal infections.

Sometimes the erythema is shiny, and sometimes it is raised or has a hardened surface.

Erythema is often accompanied by itching or pain in 50% of cases.

If this problem persists for a month or more-at most a month-you should see a doctor and have them perform a biopsy to determine if the erythema is cancerous.

>

Dr. Thomas Staniske, an affiliated urologist in Peoria, Illinois, said that the cancerous growth on the penis must be removed immediately.

Dr. Staniske said that it must be acknowledged that the image of someone lunging at your penis with a sharp weapon is the most terrifying thing for most men.

Furthermore, the consequences of ignoring penile cancer may extend beyond just the cancer itself. In some cases, the erythema can penetrate the penile epidermis and invade internal tissues, sometimes requiring penectomy as the only treatment option.

Fortunately, for smaller spots, there are some less daunting treatments that don't require any excision.

>

The basic treatment for penile cancer is to simply remove the tumor and a small portion of the surrounding tissue to ensure that no cancer cells remain.

This surgery is often performed during a biopsy. For men who have not had a circumcision, doctors recommend removing the foreskin as well to prevent recurrence.

Other treatment options include:

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A more moderate approach is to use a prescription cream containing the anticancer drug 5-flourouracil (Efudex) daily.

A doctor who had used the drug to treat three patients found that it not only eliminated the erythema but also prevented it from recurring for at least five years.

Some people are concerned about the toxicity of this drug, but one study found that only a small amount of the drug enters the bloodstream after being applied to the penis.

However, Dr. Fowler says patients will experience some degree of burning and itching.

"You need to observe carefully after taking the medication to ensure that all cancer cells are killed," Dr. Fowler said. "Poor care after taking the medication is very dangerous."

**Priapism** **When erection is actually a bad thing**

You might want your penis to stay erect forever so you can fully enjoy the pleasures of sex.

Well, think of it this way: you'll probably have to go to the hospital.

Priapism-medically defined as an erection that cannot be reversed-is not only extremely painful but also carries significant potential dangers.

"If a man's penis remains erect for more than four hours, he should see a doctor immediately," says Dr. Mark Cohen, associate professor of surgery and urology at the Florida State University School of Medicine in Gainesville.

Priapism occurs when blood cannot flow out of the penis (blood flows into the penis, causing it to become erect).

Dr. Cohen estimates that most urologists encounter only 1 to 2 such patients per year.

However, although it is relatively rare, many situations can cause this extremely painful phenomenon: such as most injuries to the penis, scrotum, brain, spinal cord, or groin.

In these cases-collectively known as high-flow priapism-physical damage impairs the body's ability to manage the flow of blood into and out of the penis.

Other causes of priapism include sickle cell disease, leukemia, and drug reactions, primarily medications for high blood pressure, mental illness, and illicit drugs such as cocaine.

In these cases-collectively known as low-flow priapism-the problem lies in the decreased function of the blood itself.

Low blood flow can cause an erection, but then blood cannot flow out of the penis.

Dr. DeWood Neal, an associate professor of surgery, microbiology, and internal medicine at the Texas State University Medical Division in Galveston, said it is surprising that the most common cause of low-flow priapism is some self-injection methods used to treat erectile dysfunction.

In this extremely common treatment, doctors give men certain drugs that they inject themselves into their penises, and these drugs can keep the penis erect for a long time.

The problem is that 3%-7% of users experience an inability to return to an erection after using the medication, often resulting in them being rushed to the emergency room in the middle of the night.

If left untreated, priapism can lead to permanent impotence.

Nearly 50% of men who failed to seek medical attention in time developed this problem.

Even if the penis does not become impotent after restoration, due to damage to the internal tissues of the penis, the erection may never be as firm again.

If you experience abnormal erection, your response time is 12-24 hours before permanent damage occurs.

If you experience priapism, you can try the following suggestions if you have enough time; otherwise, go to the emergency room or see your urologist immediately.

Sit down and soak your penis. Try a warm sitz bath to relax your penis.

This usually helps improve blood circulation in the penis, thus restoring it to a normal state.

To reach orgasm, try ejaculating, whether through masturbation or intercourse.

Since the penis usually relaxes after ejaculation, sudden priapism can sometimes be cured by natural physiological responses.

**Drink cough syrup** Find a cold medicine containing ephedrine or adrenaline in your medicine cabinet and take it according to the adult dosage instructions.

"They can constrict blood vessels, thus eliminating erections," Dr. Cohen said.

However, medication is only a solution that can be considered in the early stages of the disease. If the disease has been present for a long time, vasoconstriction may actually worsen the blood stasis.

In this case, it is best to use professional treatment.