Warts on the Penis
Why Do They Occur? How Are They Treated?

What Is a Wart on the Penis?

Warts are lesions raised from the skin that form after the HPV (Human Papillomavirus) virus enters the body. They can have different appearances. Sometimes they are seen as a single skin tag, and sometimes they can appear in large numbers and in clusters.

Warts on the penis are most commonly seen on the base of the penis, on the foreskin and on the head of the penis. If they are neglected, pulled off, cut with a razor or one tries to treat them at home with ineffective methods, they can multiply rapidly and become more difficult to treat.

TOPICS

Is It a Skin Tag or a Wart on the Penis?

Seeing a true skin tag on the penis is quite rare. If you are a sexually active individual and notice skin-tag-like formations that have appeared later on, it is important to know that these lesions are most likely HPV-related warts.

Why Are Warts on the Penis Dangerous?

If the warts on the penis have formed due to high-risk HPV types, there may be an increase in the risk of penile cancer.

In addition, warts that start on the penis can spread to the anal area. If warts form in the anal area, the risk of anal cancer increases.

Why Is It Important to Determine the HPV Type?

Knowing which HPV type caused the wart is critically important. When a high-risk HPV is detected, the development of penile and anal cancer can be prevented through regular check-ups.

How Is a Wart on the Penis Treated?

Warts on the penis are treated like all genital warts. However, because the skin of the penis is thin and sensitive, cautery or cryotherapy methods can be painful and can leave scars.

For this reason, wart treatment with a fractional laser is preferred at our clinic.

• The lesions are numbed with local anaesthesia.
• When necessary, an HPV DNA sample is taken.
• The warts are destroyed in a controlled way with the fractional laser.

What Should Be Paid Attention to After Treatment?

• Smoking should be quit (it speeds up the clearance of HPV).
• The HPV vaccine should be administered.
• A condom should be used for at least 6 months (to prevent the ping-pong effect).
• The warts should not be pulled off or cut.

The warts may recur for a while, but with consistent and correct treatment the HPV virus can be cleared from the body over time.

Assessment of the Partner

If there is a wart on the penis, it is important for the female partner to have an HPV test even if she has no visible warts. High-risk HPV types can lead to more serious consequences in women.