Men with Peyronie’s disease could be at higher risk for certain types of cancer.
A study involving over 1.7 million men found higher risk of stomach cancer, melanoma, and testicular cancer among men with Peyronie’s disease when compared to men with erectile dysfunction (ED).
Peyronie’s disease is characterized by plaques – areas of hardened scar tissue – that form in the tunica albuginea, beneath the skin of the penis. Because these plaques limit flexibility, the penis bends when erect. The curve can make intercourse problematic. Some men with Peyronie’s disease have pain as well.
The cause of Peyronie’s disease is unknown, but some scientists believe it is a wound healing disorder in which the collagen in scar tissue does not break down as it normally would. In some cases, Peyronie’s disease might be hereditary.
Researchers analyzed data from a U.S. database called the Truven Health MarketScan. The data was based on insurance claims filed from 2007 to 2014. They identified 48,423 men with Peyronie’s disease, 1,177,428 men with ED, and a control group of 484,230 men without either condition. The men’s overall average age was 49 years, and they were followed for an average of 4.4 years.
Obesity, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, smoking, and diabetes were more common in men with ED compared to the other two groups, the authors said.
When the researchers compared the Peyronie’s disease group and the ED group, they found higher risk for stomach cancer, melanoma, and testicular cancer. Medical News Today reported increased risk rates of 43%, 19%, and 39%, respectively, along with a 10% increased risk for all cancers.
In their abstract, the researchers noted that Peyronie’s disease is “inherited in autosomal dominant fashion” for some men. They explained that past studies have investigated particular genes involved in the development of cancer in humans.
The current study “[suggests] a possible common etiology between [Peyronie’s disease] and cancer development, supporting recent genetic findings,” they wrote.
They added that this is the first study to show a link between Peyronie’s disease and cancer. As such, more research is needed to confirm these findings and clarify the relationship.
The results were presented in October at the 2017 Scientific Congress and Expo of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, held in San Antonio, Texas, USA.
Resources
Fertility and Sterility
Pastuszak, Alexander W., et al.
“Increased risk of cancer among men with Peyronie’s disease”
(Abstract presented at the 2017 Scientific Congress and Expo of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, October 31, 2017, San Antonio, TX, USA)
http://www.fertstert.org/article/S0015-0282(17)30651-9/fulltext
Healio – In the Journals Plus
Gormley, Chuck
“Men with Peyronie’s disease may have increased risk for cancer”
(November 2, 2017)
https://www.healio.com/hematology-oncology/gastrointestinal-cancer/news/in-the-journals/%7B4a8cfb1d-c45d-494c-9a44-c55b40352d53%7D/men-with-peyronies-disease-may-have-increased-risk-for-cancer
International Society for Sexual Medicine
“What is Peyronie’s disease?”
https://www.issm.info/sexual-health-qa/what-is-peyronies-disease/
Medical News Today
Newman, Tim
“Curved penis may increase cancer risk”
(November 3, 2017)
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319960.php
The Telegraph
Bodkin, Henry
“Men who don't 'shoot straight' when going to the loo have greater risk of cancer, study of 1.5m men shows”
(November 2, 2017)
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/11/02/men-dont-shoot-straight-going-loo-have-greater-risk-cancer-study/