$Unique_ID{BRK04101} $Pretitle{} $Title{Peyronie Disease} $Subject{Peyronie Disease Penile Induration Penile Fibrosis Plastic Induration Corpora Cavernosa Plastic Induration of the Penis Fibrous Cavernositis Chronic Cavernositis Fibrous Sclerosis of the Penis Fibrous Plaques of the Penis Penile Fibromatosis Van Buren's Disease Balanitis Xerotica Obliterans Erythroplasia of Queyrat Dupuytren's Contracture Diabetes Mellitus} $Volume{} $Log{} Copyright (C) 1987, 1989 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. 488: Peyronie Disease ** IMPORTANT ** It is possible the main title of the article (Peyronie Disease) is not the name you expected. Please check the SYNONYMS listing on the next page to find alternate names, disorder subdivisions, and related disorders covered by this article. Synonyms Penile Induration Penile Fibrosis Plastic Induration Corpora Cavernosa Plastic Induration of the Penis Fibrous Cavernositis Chronic Cavernositis Fibrous Sclerosis of the Penis Fibrous Plaques of the Penis Penile Fibromatosis Van Buren's Disease Information on the following diseases can be found in the Related Disorders section of this report: Balanitis Xerotica Obliterans Erythroplasia of Queyrat Dupuytren's Contracture Diabetes Mellitus General Discussion ** REMINDER ** The information contained in the Rare Disease Database is provided for educational purposes only. It should not be used for diagnostic or treatment purposes. If you wish to obtain more information about this disorder, please contact your personal physician and/or the agencies listed in the "Resources" section of this report. Peyronie Disease is a condition characterized by fibrous plaques in the soft tissue of the penis of adult males. Cord-like lesions in the penis, pain, and abnormal penile curvature during erection make it impossible for many patients to have normal sexual intercourse unless treated. Symptoms may be chronic, or may spontaneously resolve in some cases. Symptoms Peyronie Disease is characterized by dense infiltration of fibrous tissue into the soft tissue of the penis. These strands of fiber may also appear in patches of various sizes on the penis (plaques). Formation of the plaques limit the elasticity of the penis, and cause pain upon erection. Symptoms may eventually lead to impotence in a few cases. In some cases, the affected tissue may become calcified. Some Peyronie's patients have been found to have deposits of excess collagen in connective tissue in other parts of the body as well. A contracture of fibrous tissue (Dupuytren's Contracture) in the hand has also been associated with some cases of Peyronie Disease. Symptoms may spontaneously resolve over long periods of time. Approximately four years is the average duration of the course of the disorder, although some symptoms may clear up more quickly. Causes The exact cause of Peyronie Disease is not known. This disorder was first identified in 1743 by Dr. de la Peyronie. Some researchers believe it may be a genetic disorder. More recent scientific evidence suggests that the disorder may possibly be induced in some cases by the use of beta-adrenergic blocking drugs such as propranolol or practolol which are used for the control of high blood pressure. It may also be caused by recurrent injury limited to a very small section of the male external genitalia. In other cases, Peyronie Disease may occur in combination with Diabetes Mellitus. Affected Population Peyronie Disease is a disorder which affects adult males, usually during the fourth and fifth decades of life. Patients have been diagnosed with this disorder ranging from eighteen to eighty years of age. According to one 1966 study, approximately 3,600 cases were noted in the world medical literature. Related Disorders Symptoms of the following disorders can be similar to those of Peyronie Disease. Comparisons may be useful for a differential diagnosis: Balanitis Xerotica Obliterans is the result of chronic inflammation and is characterized by a hardened (indurated), pale area surrounding the end of the penis which may cause constriction. Treatment with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory drugs may be useful, but surgery may be required in some cases. Erythroplasia of Queyrat is a premalignant lesion characterized by an area of reddish, velvety discoloration on the penis. Biopsy should be considered for diagnostic purposes. Treatment consists of local application of fluorouracil cream. The following disorders may precede the development of Peyronie Disease. They can be useful in identifying an underlying cause of some forms of this disorder: Dupuytren's Contracture is characterized by contracture of the connective tissue of the palm of the hand caused by fibrous overgrowth. This condition results in flexion deformities and loss of function of the fingers. Diabetes Mellitus is a disorder in which the body does not produce enough insulin and is, therefore, unable to convert sugar and other nutrients into the energy necessary for daily activity. The disorder is not rare and it affects females and males in equal numbers. Although the exact causes of insulin-dependent diabetes are not known, genetic factors seem to play a role. (For more information on this disorder, choose "diabetes" as your search term in the Rare Disease Database and see the Diabetes section of the Prevalent Health Conditions/Concerns area of NORD Services.) Therapies: Standard In some cases, treatment of Peyronie Disease may not be required since symptoms can resolve spontaneously over an average period of one to four years. In other cases, the condition may persist and become disabling. Conservative treatment which may be useful in treating lesions include steroid dermojet (needleless pressure injection) treatments in combination with surgical incision of plaques. Collagenase injections and/or treatment with another enzyme, superoxide dismutase, may also improve lesions. Skin grafts and/or radiation therapy have been found helpful in a few severe cases which failed to respond to drug treatment. Surgery to correct the curvature of the penis may be effective, although undesirable side effects may develop. Therapies: Investigational This disease entry is based upon medical information available through August 1989. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder. Resources For more information on Peyronie Disease, please contact: National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) P.O. Box 8923 New Fairfield, CT 06812-1783 (203) 746-6518 Peyronie's Society of America P.O. Box 3272 Wichita, KS 67201 (800) 727-7397 National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse Box NKUDIC Bethesda, MD 20892 (301) 468-6345 Scleroderma Federation One Newbury St. Peabody, MA 01960 (508) 535-6600 Scleroderma Information Exchange, Inc. 150 Hines Farm Rd. Cranston, RI 02920 (401) 943-3909 United Scleroderma Foundation P.O. Box 350 Watsonville, CA 95077 (408) 728-2202 References HUMORAL IMMUNE RESPONSES IN PEYRONIE'S DISEASE PATIENTS RECEIVING CLOSTRIDIAL COLLAGENASE THERAPY: R.G. Hamilton, et al.; J Urol (March 1986, issue 135 (3)). Pp. 641-647. TREATMENT OF IMPOTENCE. 2. SURGICAL METHODS: N. Baum; Postgrad Med (May 15, 1987; issue 81(7)). Pp. 137-140. PEYRONIE'S DISEASE: C.E. Horton, et al.; Ann Plast Surg (February 1987, issue 18(2)). Pp. 122-127. PEYRONIE'S DISEASE: A METHOD OF TREATMENT: Esat Toksu; The Journal of Urology (April 1971). Pp. 523-524.