Penile Cancer is a rare type of cancer that occurs on the skin or inside the tissues of the penis. Early detection and treatment are crucial for improving outcomes and preserving quality of life.

Several risk factors are associated with Penile Cancer, including poor hygiene, a history of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, smoking, and phimosis (a condition where the foreskin cannot be fully retracted). HPV is a particularly important risk factor, as certain strains of the virus are known to cause changes in skin cells that can lead to cancer. Circumcision, especially when performed at birth, has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of penile cancer, likely because it prevents infections and conditions like phimosis that increase cancer risk. Chronic inflammation and irritation of the penis, as seen in conditions like lichen sclerosus, may also increase the likelihood of developing this cancer.