Inflammatory and neoplastic lesions of penile gland and periglandular regions

Abstract Lesions of the male external genitalia have always been a source of great concern to those affected. In unprecedented fashion, mostly as a result of the education received through the mass media, the public's anxiety has reached its zenith. Professional advice is being sought for any recently discovered scratch or mark for fear it may herald the onset of a socially unacceptable lesion or a disease with no known cure, ie, herpes, AIDS. Penile lesions not routinely seen by the practicing physician may be overlooked or considered inconsequential and thus result in improper treatment or the lack of treatment where it may otherwise have been indicated. A chapter devoted to penile lesions can be quite extensive, and limitations must be placed. It is our purpose to familiarize the reader with several important lesions that may be encountered in general clinical practice. Many of these lesions are of unknown etiology and equally have no known effective treatment. Oftentimes, a properly informed physician need do no more than reassure the patient in order to alleviate his fears.