Scientists have found out that men who have a bent penis face a higher risk of numerous types of cancers. The anatomical quirk, known as Peyronie’s disease as well as penile fibrosis, is linked to testicular, skin, and stomach cancers.
Link Between Peyronie’s Disease And Cancer
The research team, which presented its study at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, found that men with penile fibrosis have a 40 percent increased chance of having stomach cancer and testicular cancer, and a 29 percent increased chance of melanoma. The observation was based on patient data review of more than 1.5 million men by Houston’s Baylor College.
The researchers said that men with penile fibrosis should be closely monitored for cancer to detect early developments. The team also carried out a further genetic analysis of a father-son duo with Peyronie’s disease and found that they shared a set of genes which are known to make men susceptible to urological cancers.
"We think this is important because these conditions are largely taken for granted,” said researcher Dr Alexander Pastuszak. “While they’re significant in the sexual and reproductive life-cycles of these patients, linking them to other disorders suggest that these men should be monitored for development of these disorders disproportionately in contrast to the rest of the population.” The doctor also added that these associations have not been made by anybody before.
Penile Fibrosis
At presents, the cause of Peyronie’s disease has still not been completely understood. However, researchers feel that a number of reasons are involved such as the penis getting injured repeatedly as a result of an accident or damage during athletic activity or sex.
Subsequently, scar tissues form in a disorganized manner during the healing process that might result in a curvature development or nodule that a person can feel. The scar tissue region of the erect penis of men with Peyronie’s disease does not stretch, thereby bending or becoming disfigured; hence, leading to pain.
Some men also develop penile fibrosis gradually without it being related to an injury. Researchers are still trying to understand whether the condition is related to certain health conditions or a genetic trait.
Incidentally, in 2013, the Food and Drug Administration had approved the first drug, called Xiaflex, which addressed penile fibrosis. Xiaflex, a non-surgical treatment for men afflicted with Peyronie’s disease, is an enzyme extracted from a bacterium that can break down the plaque or lump that causes the uncomfortable condition.
