Pathophysiology
Clinical meaning
Penile cancer is a rare malignancy that most commonly presents as squamous cell carcinoma arising from the skin of the penis. The cancer typically develops on the glans penis or the inner surface of the foreskin (prepuce). It begins as abnormal cells that grow uncontrollably, forming a visible lesion that may appear as a painless lump, ulcer, or wart-like growth. The cancer can be locally destructive, invading deeper penile tissues, and can spread to regional lymph nodes in the groin (inguinal lymph nodes) and eventually to distant sites. Human papillomavirus (HPV) types 16 and 18 are strongly associated with penile cancer development. Other risk factors include phimosis (non-retractable foreskin), poor hygiene, chronic inflammation, and smoking.