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It may develop on the upper or lower side of the penis in layers containing erectile tissue. The penis contains balloon-like blood vessels that fill with blood to cause an erection. Scar tissue forming in the balloons cannot stretch as much as the balloons do, so the erected penis bends toward the side with a scar. The plaque often begins as a localized inflammation that may develop into a hardened scar. Generally, when the disease heals within a year or so, the plaque does not advance beyond that initial inflammatory phase.
When the disease lasts for years, the plaque often becomes a tough fibrous tissue, and calcium deposits may form. Peyronie's disease was first described in 1743 as a form of impotence. In general, the goal of treatment is to keep the patient with Peyronie's disease sexually active. Injection medications include steroids, collagenase, verapamil and interferon.
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