Cancer of the penis: a study in pathological geography in Bahia State, Brazil

Abstract

A study of 811 patients from Bahia State with histological cancer of the pênis is presented. Fifty per cent of the tumors were observed in persons of between 46 and 61 years of age. Nearly 80% of the penile cancer patients came from rural areas. The greatest number of patients came from the Eastern region of Bahia, notably from de Recôncavo Baiano, Jequié, Feira de Santana and Serrinha. More than 80% of the cases sought medical advice for the first time three months or more after the appearance of the initial lesion. Sixty-three per cent had pre-existing phimosis. The systematic practice of circuncision during infancy constitutes an effective prophylatic measure and should be encouraged.