Medical Care
Pearly penile papules typically are asymptomatic and require no therapy.
Surgical Care
Some patients with pearly penile papules may request therapy to alleviate anxiety.
Ablation using carbon dioxide laser, [13, 14, 15] electrodesiccation with curettage, and excisional surgery reportedly have successfully eliminated pearly penile papules. Recent technological advancements in lasers have resulted in promising outcomes using newer fractional ablative approaches, [16, 17] including fractionated carbon dioxide lasers. [18] Successful treatment with pulsed dye laser has been reported, [19] as has treatment with erbium:yttrium-aluminium-garnet (Er:YAG) laser. [20]
Mixed results have been noted with cryotherapy. [21]
Topical application of podophyllin largely has been ineffective for pearly penile papules.
Consultations
Consultation with a dermatologist may prove useful when the diagnosis is not obvious.
Diet
Diet is not known to be a factor influencing the development or course of pearly penile papules.
Activity
Pearly penile papules are not associated with personal hygiene or sexual activity.
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%).
Long-Term Monitoring
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.
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Pearly penile papules are seen clinically as multiple, glistening, flesh-colored, dome-topped papules arranged circumferentially in 2 rows along the corona of the glans penis.
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Pearly penile papules. Courtesy of Wiki Commons
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Pearly penile papules; close-up view. Courtesy of Wiki Commons.
