The case of the Kentucky man who had his penis cut off has people talking about an organ that is seldom mentioned in polite conversation.
Philip Seaton and his wife sued the doctor who removed his manhood, seeking millions of dollars in damages for "loss of service, love and affection," as CBS News reported. But the jury in the case sided with the surgeon, who claimed it had been medically necessary to remove Seaton's penis because it was cancerous.
Penile cancer is rare in the U.S. - especially in circumcised men - but the diagnosis can be emotionally devastating, according to Medscape. And successful treatment can be a real challenge, since up to half of guys who have penile carcinoma are too embarrassed, fearful, or neglectful to consult a doctor right away. Delaying treatment can allow a localized cancer to spread, in some cases necessitating a partial or total "penectomy."
What can guys do to hang on to their penises? Circumcision early in life seems to offer strong protection but circumcision in adulthood may not, according to the society. Uncircumcised men should see a doctor if they experience phimosis, a condition in which the foreskin becomes tight and hard to retract. They should also keep the penis clean. Doctors believe that smegma, a buildup of secretions under the foreskin, can cause irritation that sets the stage for cancer.
Other risk factors for penile cancer include smoking, exposure of the penis to ultraviolet light (as during treatment for psoriasis), and infection with the AIDS virus and human papillomavirus (HPV).
The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2011, about 1,360 new cases of penile cancer will be diagnosed and about 320 men will die of the disease. Its website offers more on penile cancer.
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