Penile Cancer

Penile cancer is a malignant growth found on the skin or in the tissues of the penis. Around 95% of penile cancers are squamous cell carcinomas which arise from normal skin.

Penile cancer risk factors

• Being age 60 or older.
• Having phimosis – a condition in which the foreskin of the penis cannot be pulled back over the glans.
• Having poor personal hygiene.
• Having many sexual partners.
• Having human papillomavirus infection (HPV).
• Using tobacco products.

Penile cancer symptoms

Signs of penile cancer include:

• Redness of the penis.
• Rash on the penis.
• Foul smelling discharge from the penis.
• Pain in the penis.
• Growth or sore on the penis that doesn’t heal within four weeks (may look like a wart, ulcer or blister), may or may not be painful.
• Bleeding from the penis or from under the foreskin.
• Change in color of the penis
• Inability to retract the foreskin.

How is penile cancer treated?

Certain factors affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options. The prognosis and treatment options depend on the following:

• The stage of the cancer.
• The location and size of the tumor.
• Whether the cancer has just been diagnosed or has come back.