When I get an erection, on the left side of my penis there are 2 very visible band or lumps that are palpable, less than 3 cm, that appear to be in the erectile tissue, that span across the left side of the shaft which become bigger and harder when I get an erection and smaller as I am flaccid though still being visible. Sometimes they ache especially when I get an erection and touch them but the pain subsides when flaccid. They are sometimes very hard almost like they are calcified when erect. My physician said this was scar tissue and could be removed with surgery. I have no bend. Is it possible to see the plaques that are present in Peyronie’s disease? Could this be Peyronie’s disease?

Dr. Levine answers: This is an unusual presentation, but it does sound that your situation is consistent with Peyronie’s disease. Peyronie’s disease results in scarring of the jacket tissue of the penis known as the tunica albuginea. The scars which are also known as plaques are palpable just under the surface of the skin, most often on the top surface of the penis. They can pass through the middle of the penis, on the side or underneath as well. The scarring can occur in such a way as to not result in any deformity of the penis. If the lumps you describe are not in the tunica albuginea but are in fact within the skin or subcutaneous tissue of the penis, this may result in the visible lumps that you describe. This would not likely be Peyronie’s disease. In my opinion, if you have no deformity and the lumps cause you no pain and are not growing, then no surgery is indicated. If it is Peyronie’s disease and there is no deformity or pain, again no surgery is indicated. Overall, it may be best for you to have a second opinion regarding these lumps to better define the situation.