Papules (pearly penile papules)

Features:

• pearly penile papules are common (up to 15–20% of men) and present as flesh-coloured, smooth, rounded papules (1–3 mm), predominantly around the coronal margin of the glans, often arranged in parallel rows or concentric rings
  • characteristically two or three rows of uniform, flesh-coloured papules running circumferentially about the corona (base of glans penis)
• may be mistaken for warts by both patients and clinicians
• can be misdiagnosed as Tyson’s glands or ectopic sebaceous glands
• histology is that of angiofibroma

Treatment:

• none is generally indicated
• cryotherapy can be effective

Reference:

1. Bunker C B. Male genital dermatology. London: Saunders, 2004.
2. Marszalek RM, Bae-Harboe YS, Mahalingam M, Masterpol K. Painless penile papule. J Fam Pract. 2015 Mar;64(3):185-8