While rare, for the 1% of men it affects, usually between 40-60 years of age, Peyronie’s disease is often uncomfortable and a potentially embarrassing condition. This relatively rare disease is an inflammatory disease of unknown cause that affects the penis and can often seem to present over night. It can cause discomfort and modularity of the penis and a concern for cancer, which it is not.
However, for most men it’s the bending of the penis on erection which is the most problematic. Depending on plaque location, the bending can be in various directions.
Causes of Peyronie’s Disease
The causes of Peyronie’s disease have not yet been discovered. Because of this, treatment only starts after the condition has started. There are no known ways to prevent Peyronie’s disease.
Treatments of Peyronie’s Disease
Some men, about half of all cases, will find that the condition goes into remission on its own without any treatment.
For those who do not have remission, treatment options may include:
Oral treatments – Vitamin E and/or Potaba are sometimes used to treat this condition, although proof that they are effective is missing.
Topical treatments – Topical applications of verapamil or DMSO may help.
X-ray treatment – External beam and radiation implants may lessen the inflammation.
Ultrasound treatment – Ultrasound treatment has been effective for some men.
Injectables – Collagenase (Xiaflex) this is a relatively new agent which isinjected about the plaque in the penis in order to dissolve the fibrotic area.
The patient is instructed on bending and stretching the penis at home after the injection. Several courses of injections may be needed over several months till reasonable straightening is achieved. This procedure can be useful in men where the bending on erection is 30 degrees or greater.
Anti-inflammatory medications – The nodules that can develop with this condition may respond to anti-inflammatory medications.
Surgery – If the bending progresses to the point that vaginal penetration becomes impossible, some men will seek surgical treatment. This can take the form of penile implants which are not usually recommended unless there are permanent and extenuating circumstances or, reconstructive procedures such as the dermal graft or Nesbit plication procedures.
Although NOT related to prostate cancer, patients need to understand the dangers of all potential treatments. To learn more about Peyronie’s disease and prostate cancer treatment dangers, visit Dr. Bert plication website, https://urologyweb.com/exclusive-medical-reports/
Dr. Vorstman also blogs at http://www.urologyweb.com/uro-health-blog/ and http://www.hifurx.com/blog
Contact him directly at bvorstmanmd@gmail.com.