Penile tumours
- Lesion
HPV and chronic inflammation lead to warts, precancerous lesions and squamous cell carcinoma of the penis.
What it is
Condyloma acuminatum is a benign wart caused by low-risk HPV, mainly types 6 and 11. Penile intraepithelial neoplasia (PeIN) is the precursor of carcinoma and comes in HPV-associated forms, which clinically include Bowen disease, erythroplasia of Queyrat and bowenoid papulosis, and an HPV-independent differentiated form linked to lichen sclerosus. Invasive squamous cell carcinoma is classified (WHO 2022) as HPV-associated (basaloid, warty) or HPV-independent (usual keratinizing, verrucous). It is more common in uncircumcised men with phimosis, poor hygiene and smoking, and in parts of Latin America, Africa and Asia.
Structure
- Condyloma: branching papillary fronds with acanthosis, parakeratosis and koilocytes (clear halos around wrinkled nuclei).
- PeIN: atypical squamous cells filling the epidermis, either basaloid or differentiated.
- Invasive carcinoma: grey, crusted, papillary or flat ulcerated mass on the glans or inner foreskin.
- Verrucous carcinoma: exophytic, well-differentiated, with pushing borders; rarely metastasizes.
Clinical notes
- Penile cancer is rare in high-income countries but more frequent in parts of Latin America such as Brazil, where it is linked to HPV and lack of circumcision.
- HPV vaccination of boys prevents condylomas and some penile cancers.
Test yourself
Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.
Which HPV types cause condyloma acuminatum?
Low-risk types 6 and 11.
What are koilocytes?
Squamous cells with a wrinkled, dark nucleus surrounded by a clear halo, typical of HPV infection.
Which lymph nodes receive the first metastases of penile carcinoma?
The inguinal lymph nodes.
Elsewhere in DurgiPedia
Connections
Microorganisms1
Educational content on the mechanisms of disease; not a diagnostic or treatment guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given.
Sources: Penile Cancer Treatment (National Cancer Institute, 2025); HPV (MedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine, 2025).
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Representative model, for educational purposes only.