Penile intraepithelial neoplasia is a rare pre-cancerous disease of the outer skin layer (epidermis) of the penis.
Other names for penile intraepithelial neoplasia include:
The diagnosis is often delayed, because penile intraepithelial neoplasia may resemble other conditions such as balanitis, candidiasis, dermatitis, and psoriasis.
Lesions are single or multiple, red plaques on the glans or inner aspect of the foreskin. They may have a smooth, velvety, moist, scaly, eroded, or warty surface.
The following signs and symptoms may occur:
Images of penile intraepithelial neoplasia
Uncircumcised males over 50 years of age are most at risk of getting penile intraepithelial neoplasia, although it may rarely occur in younger men.
Penile intraepithelial neoplasia is associated with:
If left untreated, 10–30% of cases develop into invasive squamous cell carcinoma (cancer) of the penis.
Skin biopsy should be performed to confirm the diagnosis, as it may resemble other forms of chronic balanitis. A biopsy is also essential to rule out invasive squamous cell carcinoma, which requires more aggressive treatment.
It is important to maintain good genital hygiene. Penile intraepithelial neoplasia can be treated in several different ways. Multidisciplinary care may be necessary.
Mohs micrographic surgery appears to be highly effective and the surgical treatment of choice in severe or recurrent cases of penile intraepithelial neoplasia.
The disease recurs in 3–10% of patients, so close follow-up is necessary to ensure a complete cure.
Partners of patients with penile intraepithelial neoplasia should be screened for other forms of intraepithelial neoplasia caused by human papillomavirus in the anogenital area (cervical, vulval and anal cancer).
Many national immunisation programmes now include a vaccine against the causative human papillomaviruses HPV-16 and 18. Vaccination of boys and young men should be included, to reduce the risk of developing HPV-related penile intraepithelial cancer in the future. Men with penile intraepithelial neoplasia are sometimes treated with HPV vaccination; its efficacy in this situation is unknown.
