Pearly Penile Papules Follow-up
- Author: Clarence William Brown Jr, MD; Chief Editor: William D James, MD more...
Further Outpatient Care
Most patients accept that treatment is not necessary for pearly penile papules once the benign nature of the lesions is explained. Patients who insist on treatment may elect to undergo ablative therapy with conventional surgical excision or carbon dioxide laser resurfacing.
Deterrence/Prevention
Circumcision at birth may decrease the incidence of pearly penile papules, since the frequency of lesions is fewer in circumcised males (12%) versus uncircumcised males (22%).
Complications
No complications are noted for pearly penile papules.
Prognosis
Pearly penile papules typically are asymptomatic and persist throughout life, although lesions gradually may become less noticeable with advancing age.
Patient Education
Educate patients about the benign nature of pearly penile papules. Inform patients that lesions are not transmitted through sexual activity. Consider counseling for the patient's sexual partner, which often helps alleviate anxiety.
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