Penile Melanosis: Causes, Symptoms and Treatments

MD(AM)BUMS, DAF, CHEF, PGDYT

October 1st, 2024

Penile Melanosis is a condition that causes discolored skin on the head and shaft of the penis, which may appear as dark brown or black spots. It is a non-cancerous and harmless condition that does not spread to another body part. Typically, no treatment is required for penile melanoma. However, some people may choose cosmetic procedures to remove penile Melanosis. Please continue reading to learn more about penile melanoma, its cause, and available treatment options.

What is Penile Melanosis?

Penile Melanosis is a harmless condition that refers to the dark brown or black spots on the head or shaft of the penis. This condition does not spread to other individuals and other parts of the body.

The formation of dark skin in the penis is caused due to melanin. Melanin is one of the main components that causes pigmentation in the body. Also, other compounds join with melanin to form dark-pigmented skin tones on the head or shaft of the penis. They are,

Hemosiderin
Lipofuscin
Ferrous Sulfate

What Does Penile Melanosis Look Like?

Penile Melanosis appears as flat, dark spots or patches on the skin of the penis, typically brown or black. These spots are smooth, uniform, and non-painful like the other areas of the penis.

Symptoms of Penile Melanosis

There are no symptoms associated with penile Melanosis other than dark spots on the skin. Penile Melanosis does not cause any pain, discomfort or health complications. Some of the main signs that show you are affected by penile Melanosis are,

Dark brown or black spots that are flat
Painless and does not cause any discomfort like bleeding, Itching or swelling
The texture was unchanged when compared with the affected area.
They can appear at any age.

Causes of Penile Melanosis

There are no proper medical reports that state the accurate causes of penile melanoma. However, penile melanin is commonly caused by the overformation of high pigmentary compounds such as melanin, hemosiderin, lipofuscin, and ferrous sulfate. Some of the possible causes include

Genetics: A study has proven that both genetic and racial factors may play a role in the development of penile Melanosis.
Sun exposure: Melanin production increases in the body when you expose yourself to the sun to protect yourself from UV rays produced by the sun. This increase in melanin may cause penile Melanosis.
Injuries: Previous injuries on the penis may result in hyperpigmentation which could cause dark spots on the penis.
Previous Treatments: the chances of having penile melanosis increase when you have gone under treatments with anthralin or psoralen. Also, going under psoralen plus ultraviolet A (PUVA) photochemotherapy for treating skin conditions around the genitals could cause penile melanoma.

Treatment Option for penile Melanosis

Typically, no treatment is required for penile melanoma. Some individuals may feel disturbed, or their partners may be in such situations. They go under the cosmetic treatment option of laser therapy to remove dark spots.

Laser therapy can help reduce pigmented spots, which are not so clear. Laser therapy cannot be done in one session and needs multiple sessions. In most centres, Q-switched ruby lasers are used as they are more effective and can produce results from one to three sessions. They are very safe and commonly used for pigment-related conditions in dermatology clinics.

Difference between penile Melanosis vs melanoma

Penile Melanosis and Penile Melanoma are different conditions with different symptoms, causes and treatments. Here’s a comparison table that explains the difference.

Feature	Penile Melanosis	Penile Melanoma
Definition	Benign, harmless condition involving dark pigmentation on the skin of the penis	Malignant tumor of melanocytes (pigment-producing cells), typically more dangerous and can metastasize.
Cause	Increased melanin production without cancerous growth.	Uncontrolled growth of melanocytes, potentially due to genetic mutations or UV exposure. \|
Appearance	Flat, dark brown or black patches, uniform in color.	Irregularly shaped, dark or multicolored patches, may bleed or ulcerate.
Symptoms	Asymptomatic (no pain, itching, or discomfort)	Can cause discomfort, bleeding, or itching as it progresses.
Risk of Cancer	No risk of becoming cancerous.	High risk of metastasis if untreated.
Treatment	Usually requires no treatment; only cosmetic concerns may be addressed.	Surgical excision, sometimes combined with chemotherapy, radiation, or immunotherapy.

Can Penile Melanosis lead to melanoma?

Some individuals with penile melanoma may have concerns that it may convert into a cancerous condition called penile melanoma. For this concern, you need to consult with a healthcare provider. They will diagnose the affected spot and say whether it is clear or the spot has any potential risk. If it is clear, you can remove the spot with laser therapy or leave it without treating it, as it does not cause any health problems.

Takeaway

Penile Melanosis is a harmless condition that does not spread to others or to other parts of the body. It does not require treatment and does not cause any health complications. Consulting with a healthcare provider to confirm that penile melanoma has no serious issues is essential to avoid melanoma (a cancerous condition).