De voorhuid en het plaveiselcelcarcinoom van de penis

- The incidence of penile cancer is low in men who have been circumcised at infancy. It is unknown whether a causative relationship exists between circumcision and the substantially reduced incidence of penile cancer.

- A normal foreskin has no known aetiological role in the development of penile cancer. A narrow, non-retractable foreskin predisposes the patient to infection and contributes to the development of penile cancer, together with the known risk factors of smoking and human papillomavirus infection.

- Circumcision represents a complex of social and behavioural factors. Analyses have not taken all of these factors into consideration.

- It is unlikely that circumcision itself protects against the development of penile cancer.

Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 2005;149:2450-3