1. Cold and Flu Slideshow: Treating Your Child's Cold or Fever
2. Children's Illnesses Slideshow Pictures
3. Take the ADHD Quiz

Medical Author:

David Perlstein, MD, MBA, FAAP

David Perlstein, MD, MBA, FAAP

Dr. Perlstein received his Medical Degree from the University of Cincinnati and then completed his internship and residency in pediatrics at The New York Hospital, Cornell medical Center in New York City. After serving an additional year as Chief Pediatric Resident, he worked as a private practitioner and then was appointed Director of Ambulatory Pediatrics at St. Barnabas Hospital in the Bronx.

View Full Profile

Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

View Full Profile

In this Article

• Circumcision: medical pros and cons facts
• What has been the medical view of circumcision?
• What is the anatomy of the penis?
• What is a retractable foreskin?
• What is newborn circumcision?
• What is phimosis?
• What is paraphimosis?
• What is balanoposthitis?
• What is meatitis?
• Is it easier to care for the circumcised penis or uncircumcised penis?
• What is the relationship between circumcision and urinary tract infections?
• What is the relationship between circumcision and sexually transmitted diseases?
• What is the correlation between sexually transmitted diseases and cancer of the cervix?
• What is the relationship between circumcision and cancer of the penis?
• Find a local Pediatrician in your town
• Circumcision The Medical Pros and Cons Index

What is the relationship between circumcision and cancer of the penis?

The predicted lifetime risk of cancer of the penis in an uncircumcised man is one in 600 in the U.S. Cancer of the penis carries a mortality rate as high as 25%. This cancer occurs almost exclusively in uncircumcised men. In five major research studies, no man who had been circumcised as a newborn developed cancer of the penis. Human papillomavirus types 16 and 18, which are sexually transmitted, are involved in cancer of the penis. That is why routine vaccination against HPV is recommended for both boys and girls.

REFERENCES:

Morris, B.J., et al. "A 'snip' in time: what is the best age to circumcise?" BMC Pediatrics 12 (2012): 20. <http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2431/12/20>.

Tobian, A.R., et al. "Male Circumcision for the Prevention of Acquisition and Transmission of sexually transmitted infections: The case for Neonatal Circumcision." Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. 164.1 (2010): 78-84.

Wang, M.L., et al. "Updated parental viewpoints on male neonatal circumcision in the U.S." Clinical Pediatrics 49.2 Feb. 2010: 130-136.