Plasma cell balanitis: clinicopathologic study of 112 cases and treatment modalities

Plasma cell balanitis or Zoon's balanitis is an idiopathic benign condition of the genitalia that mostly presents as a solitary, persistent plaque on the glans primarily in uncircumcised, middle-aged to older men.

One hundred twelve patients with a clinical diagnosis of plasma cell balanitis were studied between January 1985 and April 2003.

The age of the patients ranged from 24 to 70 years. The majority of patients had symptoms for more than 12 months. Lesions involved the prepuce and glans in the majority of patients (66; 58.92%), the prepuce only in 26 patients (23.21%), and the glans only in 20 patients (17.85%). Tissue for histopathology was available in 96 patients. Histologically, epidermal edema, a dense upper dermal band of chronic inflammatory cells, including many plasma cells, dilated capillaries, extravasated red blood cells, and hemosiderin deposition, was seen. In most, cases, plasma cell balanitis was successfully treated by circumcision.

This report describes our experience with plasma cell balanitis and reviews its clinical and histopathologic aspects. The treatment modalities are also reviewed, and the importance of circumcision as the treatment of choice is emphasized.