Penectomy is the removal of the penis to treat cancer of the penis, a type of cancer not very common but with a higher incidence in countries of South America, Africa and parts of Asia. When surgery is necessary, a partial or complete penectomy is performed to remove the cancer and improve the patient’s chances of survival.
If the cancer is widespread in the tissue, the penectomy will involve the complete removal of the penis along with the roots of the penis, which extend into the pelvis. Although it does not affect the ability to urinate, it does affect how it leaves the body , since a new opening must be created between the anus and the scrotum so that urine can be expelled.
Also, depending on how advanced the cancer is, the testicles may need to be removed as well, in which case testosterone supplements may need to be taken later.
Recovery
The recovery process after a penectomy depends on many factors , including the man’s age, the extent of the cancer, and any other medical conditions that are present.
The long-term effects of the surgical procedure may include changes in the way the man urinates, depending on whether a partial or complete penectomy was performed.
In the case of a partial penectomy, traditional standing urination is possible. But with a full penectomy, the man will have to sit up to pee.
Regarding sexual function, it can also be affected. Yes, it is possible to have sex with a partial penectomy; however, before a complete surgery, penetration is not, according to the American Cancer Society.
Over time, recovery may include penile reconstruction surgery, called a phalloplasty, as well as psychological therapy, as losing a part of the body to cancer can be traumatizing. Self-esteem and self-image can also be affected, hence the importance of professional support for emotional recovery.
Are there other options besides penectomy?
In some cases, less aggressive surgery may be used, but which surgical procedure to use will depend on how large the tumor is and how deeply the cancer has spread through the tissue.
Surgical procedures may include excision, a simple excision in which only the tumor and some of the surrounding tissue are removed (for a small tumor); Mohs micrographic surgery, consisting of eliminating the tumor layers one by one, looking under a microscope each layer to identify the presence of cancer cells; layers are removed until cancer cells are absent; or circumcision , when penile cancer only involves the foreskin. In some cases, chemotherapy, immunotherapy (also known as biological therapy), and radiation can be used to treat penile cancer.
Generally, the outlook for penile cancer after a penectomy depends on the stage of the cancer, the size of the tumor, and a man’s age.
