The n e w e ng l a n d j o u r na l
Images in Clinical Medicine
Husein Husein-El Ahmed,
M.D., Ph.D.
Andalusian Health Service
Baza, Spain
Guillermo A. Cañadas-
De la Fuente, M.D., Ph.D.
University of Granada
Granada, Spain
gacf@ugr.es
164
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Copyright © 2016 Massachusetts Medical Society. All rights reserved.
of m e dic i n e
Lindsey R. Baden, M.D., Editor
Squamous-Cell Carcinoma of the Penis
with Human Papillomavirus
A
54-year-old man presented with a polypoid mass involving the
right side of the penis glans, which had developed over a period of ap-
proximately 8 months. The lesion was itchy with purulent secretions. It was
associated with a swollen right inguinal lymph node and a weight loss of 9 kg over
the previous 6 months. The patient’s sexual history was notable for unprotected
intercourse with multiple partners. Serologic tests were negative for various sexu-
ally transmitted infections, including human immunodeficiency virus infection.
Biopsies of both the lesion and the lymph node were performed, and a diagnosis
of squamous-cell carcinoma with presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) sero-
type 18 was made. Surgery (excision of the lesion, with a local flap used for cover-
age of the soft-tissue defect) was performed with satisfactory results. HPV is a
known cause of cervical cancer in women. HPV infection can also affect men and
can cause penile cancer, although its prevalence is lower than that of cervical
cancer among women. Primary prevention, education, and vaccination are impor-
tant to reduce the occurrence of HPV infection and associated cancers.
DOI: 10.1056/NEJMicm1503816
Copyright © 2016 Massachusetts Medical Society.
n engl j med 374;2 nejm.org January 14, 2016
The New England Journal of Medicine