Penile Paraffinoma

Penile paraffinoma is a subtype of sclerosing lipogranuloma. The prognosis of untreated paraffinoma is poor.

Penile Paraffinoma

What is penile paraffinoma?

Paraffinomas are tumors that arise from the introduction of paraffin or other lipoid substances under the skin. These substances often induce a granulomatous reaction in the subcutaneous fat tissue. Paraffinoma can develop not only in the penis area, but also in the gluteal region, on the female and male breasts or in the abdomen. See ezhoushan for What does DM1 Stand for.

However, the majority of self-induced paraffinoma is found in the genital area. In the past, the paraffin injections were carried out more frequently. Today, due to the known unpleasant side effects and the formation of granulomas, paraffinoma of the penis can only be observed very rarely. Paraffin for penis enlargement probably goes back to the Austrian surgeon Robert Gersuny.

In 1903 he reported on the use of paraffin as a testicular prosthesis. As early as 1899, he injected paraffin into a patient who had to have both testicles removed due to an infection. Since only successes and no side effects could be observed at that time, Gersuny and numerous colleagues injected mineral oils and paraffin into various parts of the body and thus treated facial deformities, among other things.

Hemorrhoids and incontinence were also treated with paraffin injections. At that time, penis enlargements with paraffin became fashionable. After around 20 years, the serious late effects of this therapy became apparent. Paraffin has not been used for injections in medicine since the 1950s. The material was successively replaced in therapy by other materials such as hyaluronic acid or collagen.

Causes

Penile paraffinoma results from the injection of paraffins or mineral oils under the skin of the penis. In the early 20th century, the injection of paraffins or mineral oils was a common technique to enlarge the penis. After the side effects later became known, the method was only rarely used in Northern Europe.

Today, penis enlargement with paraffin is still practiced in many Eastern European countries and in Korea. The paraffin injections are mainly carried out by non-medical professionals. Of course, this increases the risk of complications and side effects. The median age for men performing paraffin injections is just under 40, with ages ranging from 19 to 77.

There are several reasons behind the paraffin injections. Patients want a larger penis, suffer from erectile dysfunction (erectile dysfunction) or want to be able to satisfy their partner better. The paraffin is usually injected through the urethra or through the fatty tissue.

Symptoms, Ailments & Signs

It usually takes a year from the first paraffin injection to the development of the paraffinoma. In individual cases, the tumor only shows up after 40 years. Subcutaneous injection of paraffin or other mineral oils may result in a foreign body reaction. The cells of the mononuclear phagocyte system try to eliminate the foreign substance.

So-called foreign body granulomas form. These are knot-like new formations of the tissue that are not infectious. They consist of epitheloid cells, mononuclear cells, or giant cells that wrap around and encapsulate the foreign substance. In the long term, the inflammatory reactions triggered by the foreign body can lead to cell degeneration and thus to cancer.

Elderly patients in particular are at risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma from the ulcerating lesions of the penis. A majority of patients who have had paraffin injected into their penis themselves are not satisfied with the result. Almost 75 percent of all patients would like to have the injected paraffin removed again. Less than 20 percent have no side effects after the injection. Most patients suffer from inflammation, skin necrosis and pain.

Diagnosis & course of disease

The diagnosis of paraffinoma is made on the basis of the clinical symptoms and the medical history. Tumors on the penis that have appeared after an injection with paraffin indicate a paraffinoma. Ulcerations or other inflammations on the penis after paraffin injections are also an indication of a paraffinoma. In order to make a correct diagnosis, however, the doctor is dependent on the honest information provided by the patient. If he hides the paraffin injections, only a biopsy of the tumor can provide clarity.

Complications

A paraffinoma of the penis must always be treated by a doctor. If there is no treatment, the tissue can die off completely due to the cancer. The cancer can also spread to other regions of the body and cause tissue damage there. The quality of life of those affected is significantly reduced due to the paraffinoma on the penis.

In most cases, patients suffer from various inflammations and infections of the penis. Necrosis of the skin can also occur with this complaint and make everyday life of the patient significantly more difficult. Various skin complaints also occur on the penis in those affected. In many cases, the injections of paraffin into the penis are concealed so that a correct diagnosis cannot be made.

This may reduce the life expectancy of the person affected, since proper treatment is not carried out. As a rule, surgical intervention is carried out for paraffinoma of the penis. This can limit most complaints. There are no particular complications if the diagnosis is made early and treatment can begin early.

When should you go to the doctor?

If men who have had their penis enlarged by paraffin injection experience any symptoms, they should consult a doctor. Since this procedure is now primarily carried out in Asian areas by non-medical professionals, the risk group of those affected is very limited. If irregularities arise after approximately twelve months of a procedure, there is cause for concern. In some cases, the changes appear several decades after the paraffin injection.

The formation of foreign body granulomas on the penis is indicative of a disorder and needs to be presented to a doctor. If pain, swelling or changes in the skin appear, a doctor’s visit is necessary. Since the disease leads to premature death if left untreated, a doctor should be consulted as soon as the first discrepancies arise. Inflammation in the intimate area, loss of libido and sexual dysfunction must be examined and treated by a doctor.

Problems with urination or a feeling of illness indicate a health impairment. If you lose weight, feel ill or feel generally unwell, you should consult a doctor to clarify the symptoms. A formation of pus can lead to sepsis, which can be life-threatening, so in this case a doctor should be consulted.

Treatment & Therapy

Any paraffin in the penis area requires treatment. Untreated paraffinoma steadily worsens and has a rather poor prognosis. The paraffinoma must be excised. This procedure is also known as radical excision. The foreskin of the penis must also be completely removed (circumcision).

If the paraffinoma is not completely removed, there is a risk of recurrence. Depending on the size of the paraffin tumor, phalloplasty may be necessary. Parts of the penis are reconstructed from the body’s own tissue. If the patient does not agree to an operation or if the course is less dramatic, conservative therapy can be carried out.

For this purpose, glucocorticoids such as triamcinolone are repeatedly injected into the paraffinoma. Alternatively, the treating physician may administer corticosteroids. Although there are no long-term results on these forms of therapy, some doctors recommend this option as first-line therapy. Surgical removal in this case is only performed if the results of first-line therapy are unsatisfactory.

Outlook & Forecast

With early medical treatment, the prognosis for a paraffinoma of the penis is favorable. This health disorder involves the development of tumors that must be treated. Otherwise, in addition to disorders of the erection or the general sexual act, there will be a fatal health development. The cancer cells can spread further in the organism via the bloodstream and lead to the development of further tumours. Without appropriate cancer therapy, the average life expectancy of those affected is significantly reduced.

With a quick diagnosis in the early stages of the disease, there is a good chance of a full recovery with the current scientific and medical knowledge. The resulting tumors are completely removed in a surgical procedure. In addition, it must be checked whether a paraffinoma has also developed in other bodily regions. Under optimal conditions, the start of treatment is before a possible spread. In these cases, the foreskin of the penis is removed and recovery is initiated.

If the tumor cannot be completely removed, a regression of the symptoms can be expected as the disease progresses. For this reason, the patient should always take part in check-ups over the entire lifespan to have possible changes and abnormalities diagnosed at an early stage.

Prevention

Paraffinoma is a condition that occurs exclusively after paraffin or other mineral oils are injected into the body. Thus, paraffinoma can be easily prevented by refraining from such dangerous injections.

Aftercare

In the case of a paraffinoma of the penis, the aftercare measures are usually significantly limited. In many cases, they are not even available to the person concerned, since the disease cannot be completely cured in many cases. The affected person should therefore consult a doctor very early on, so that further complications or other symptoms do not occur later on.

The earlier a doctor is contacted, the better the further course of the disease, so that a doctor should be consulted at the first signs and symptoms of the disease. Those affected are dependent on an operative intervention. Those affected should rest and rest after such an operation.

The region around the penis in particular should be spared. Regular checks are also necessary to examine the condition of the paraffinoma of the penis. In many cases, it is also possible to use various creams and ointments, whereby the correct dosage and regular use must always be observed. The paraffinoma of the penis usually does not reduce the life expectancy of the affected person.

You can do that yourself

Patients with this diagnosis need urgent medical attention, even if surgery is unavoidable. Here it is very important to educate the patients and to clearly point out to them that they can die prematurely from their paraffinoma. This is especially true for patients who deny having praffin injections into the penis.

The fact that the affected patients used a legitimately outdated, dangerous method of penis enlargement suggests that they attach paramount importance to penis size and are risking their health for it. On the other hand, paraffinoma of the penis is associated with inflammation and pain, which hinders pleasurable sexual intercourse. Patients may feel in a dilemma here. Therefore, accompanying psychotherapy is urgently recommended. In this therapy, the values ​​of the mostly Asian patients should be examined more closely and corrected if necessary. The aim must be to reconcile those affected with their bodies.

Since a paraffinoma of the penis weakens the whole body, patients should lead a healthy lifestyle. This includes a diet with fresh, vitamin-rich foods, sufficient sleep and avoiding alcohol and nicotine. Detoxification and drainage procedures also support the healing process. Alternative practitioners and doctors with a focus on naturopathy advise on this.