Penile Cancer Diagnosis

Penile cancer is a rare but serious male malignancy that originates from the epidermis or mucosa of the penis. Early symptoms are not typical, making misdiagnosis or missed diagnosis likely. If not promptly recognized, the tumor may invade surrounding tissues or metastasize to lymph nodes and distant organs. Early and accurate diagnosis is crucial for improving survival rates and patient quality of life.

Diagnostic Basis

1. Clinical manifestations and physical examination
Most penile cancers begin as localized lesions, presenting as ulcers, nodules, or plaques. Doctors assess the size, texture, and degree of invasion through physical examination and palpation of inguinal lymph nodes, providing initial diagnostic clues.

2. Imaging examinations
Ultrasound, CT, and MRI are important tools to evaluate the tumor’s extent, depth of invasion, and lymph node or distant metastasis. MRI provides more detailed soft tissue images, helping determine whether adjacent structures such as the urethra are invaded.

3. Biopsy and pathological diagnosis
A definitive diagnosis requires tissue biopsy. Local resection or fine-needle aspiration provides pathological samples for microscopic observation of cell morphology and differentiation. This serves as the gold standard for confirming penile cancer.

4. Lymph node assessment
Palpation and imaging of inguinal lymph nodes are crucial. If suspicious enlargement is found, fine-needle aspiration or lymph node biopsy is performed to determine metastasis, guiding the treatment plan.

5. Tumor marker tests
Although no highly specific tumor markers exist, elevated levels of certain nonspecific markers may assist auxiliary diagnosis and monitoring of disease progression. Tumor marker testing combined with imaging helps provide a comprehensive evaluation.

6. Immune and genetic testing
With the advancement of precision medicine, immune cell testing and genetic mutation detection are being gradually applied. These methods not only help assess disease progression but also provide a basis for individualized treatment, including immune reconstruction cell therapy.

Conclusion

Penile cancer diagnosis relies on clinical symptoms, imaging techniques, and biopsy confirmation. Experts at United Life International Medical Center emphasize that early recognition and timely intervention are crucial. Multidisciplinary assessment combined with immune reconstruction cell therapy provides a more comprehensive diagnosis and treatment approach, helping to improve patient survival and quality of life.