Vol. 43 (1): 10-12, January – February, 2017
doi: 10.1590/S1677-5538.IBJU.2017.01.04
DIFFERENCE OF OPINION
Dominic H. Tang 1, Philippe E. Spiess 1
1 Department of Genitourinary Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida, USA
Keywords: prevention and control [Subheading]; Circumcision, Male; Penile Neoplasms; Phimosis
Routine neonatal circumcision remains a controversial topic. The most recent Canadian Paediatric Society does not recommend routine circumcision of every newborn male (1). And although prior statements from the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended against circumcision, the most recent recommendation states that circumcision outweigh the risk and the procedure’s benefits justify it for families who want it (2).
The benefits mentioned by the American Academy of Pediatrics included prevention of urinary tract infections, transmission of sexually transmitted infections, and penile cancer.
Prevention of penile cancer may be related to increasing daily hygiene and decreasing sexually transmitted infections such as human papilloma virus (HPV) in circumcised males. However, with improvements in daily hygiene and sexually transmitted infection prevention strategies, neonatal circumcision may not be critical for the prevention of penile cancer, especially in western countries.
