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Cancer - penis

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Definition:

Cancer of the penis is cancer that starts in the penis , an organ that makes up part of the male reproductive system.

Alternative Names:

Penile cancer; Squamous cell cancer - penis

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

The exact cause is unknown.

Smegma, a cheese-like, foul-smelling substance found under the foreskin of the penis may increase the risk of penis cancer.

Uncircumcised men who do not keep the area under the foreskin clean and men with a history of genital warts or human papillomavirus (HPV) are at higher risk for this rare disorder.

• Review Date: 10/31/2006
• Reviewed By: Rita Nanda, M.D., Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology/Oncology, University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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