Horror, Sleaze and Trash.

Peyronie’s Disease (also known as “Induratio penis plastica”, or more recently Chronic Inflammation of the Tunica Albuginea (CITA)), is a connective tissue disorder involving the growth of fibrous plaques in the soft tissue of the penis affecting up to 10% of men. Specifically, scar tissue forms in the tunica albuginea, the thick sheath of tissue surrounding the corpora cavernosa causing pain, abnormal curvature, erectile dysfunction, indentation, loss of girth and shortening. A variety of treatments have been used, but none have been especially effective. The most respected medical authority on Peyronie’s Disease, Dr. Tom Lue of UCSF Medical Center, recommends only 400mg Pentoxifylline daily until injectible Collagenase becomes available.

A certain degree of curvature of the penis is considered normal, as many men are born with this benign condition, commonly referred to as congenital curvature.

The disease may cause pain; hardened, big, cord-like lesions (scar tissue known as “plaques”); or abnormal curvature of the penis when erect due to chronic inflammation of the tunica albuginea (CITA). Although the popular conception of Peyronie’s Disease is that it always involves curvature of the penis, the scar tissue sometimes causes divots or indentations rather than curvature. The condition may also make sexual intercourse painful and/or difficult, though many men report satisfactory intercourse in spite of the disorder. Although it can affect men of any race and age, it is most commonly seen in Caucasian males above the age of 40, especially those of blood type A+, but has been seen in men as young as 18. The disorder is confined to the penis, although a substantial number of men with Peyronie’s exhibit concurrent connective tissue disorders in the hand, and to a lesser degree, in the feet. About 30 percent of men with Peyronie’s Disease develop fibrosis in other elastic tissues of the body, such as on the hand or foot, including Dupuytren’s contracture of the hand. An increased incidence in genetically related males suggests a genetic component.