Overview
Penile cancer is a rare cancer that mostly affects the skin of the penis and the foreskin (the skin covering the head of the penis)
Treatment for most penile cancers caught very early include creams and laser therapy
If not caught early, treatment may mean surgery
Get your symptoms checked
It's important to get any symptoms of penile cancer checked as soon as possible
Finding cancer early can make it more treatable
There are several types of penile cancer, depending on the type of cell the cancer developed from.
Main Symptoms of penile cancer
Most cancers of the penis affect the skin covering the penis (foreskin), or the head or tip (glands) of the penis
The most common symptoms are:
- a growth or sore on the penis that doesn't heal within 4 weeks
- bleeding from the penis or from under the foreskin
- a smelly discharge
- thickening of the skin of the penis or foreskin that makes it difficult to draw back the foreskin (phimosis)
- a change in the colour of the skin of the penis or foreskin
- a rash on the penis
Other symptoms of penile cancer include:
- a lump in the groin
- feeling tired
- stomach pain
- losing weight without trying
See a GP if you have:
- any changes to how your penis looks
- discharge or bleeding from your penis
- any of the other symptoms of penile cancer
- had treatment for your symptoms that has not helped in the time that it should
Important
Having these symptoms does not definitely mean you have penile cancer. But it's important to get them checked by a GP.
This is because if they are caused by cancer, finding it early can make it more treatable
What happens at the GP appointment
The GP may examine your penis and ask you to have a blood test.
They'll ask you:
What your symptoms are
When they started
If you’ve used anything to treat them, and if it’s made it better or worse
They may refer you to see a specialist in hospital for more tests.
This may be an urgent referral, usually within 2 weeks, if you have certain symptoms. This does not definitely mean you have cancer.
Find out more
Cancer Research UK: referral to a specialist for symptoms that could be caused by penile cancer
Main causes of penile cancer
Roughly half of all penile cancers are caused by certain types of a virus called human papillomavirus (HPV).
There are different types of HPV and some affect the genital area.
You can get HPV from:
Any skin-to-skin contact of the genital area
Vaginal, anal or oral sex
Sharing sex toys
Most people affected by HPV will not get penile cancer.
Who is more likely to get penile cancer:
Anyone with a penis can get penile cancer. This includes men, trans women, non-binary people and intersex people with a penis.
You might also be more likely to get penile cancer if you:
Are over 50
Smoke
Have problems pulling back your foreskin (the skin covering your penis) to keep your penis clean (a condition called phimosis)
Have or had treatment for psoriasis with medicines called psoralens and an ultraviolet (UVA) light source (called PUVA treatment)
Have a weakened immune system because of a condition like HIV
Find out more:
Cancer Research UK: causes of penile cancer
Macmillan Cancer Support: causes of penile cancer
How to lower your chance of getting penile cancer:
Protect yourself from getting HPV by getting the HPV vaccination if you can
Use condoms when having any kind of sex, to lower your chances of getting HPV
Stop smoking
Have a circumcision if you have phimosis and this is recommended to treat it
Make sure you regularly and thoroughly clean your penis and foreskin
It is imporyant to get any symptoms of penile cancer checked by a GP
Main test for penile cancer
You may need more tests to check for penile cancer if a GP refers you to a specialist.
A biopsy is the main test to diagnose penile cancer.
A specialist does this test by taking a sample of tissue from the affected area. It’s done under a local anaesthetic, so you do not feel anything.
A biopsy is usually done on the day of your appointment. You should be able to go home on the same day.
Getting your results
You should get the results of your tests within a few weeks.
You can call the hospital or GP if you're worried. They should be able to update you.
A specialist will explain what the results mean and what will happen next. You may want to bring someone with you for support.
Get support when testing for cancer
If you're concerned or need support before and after your test, you may find it useful to talk to:
A trained counsellor: get advice on how to find a counsellor from Cancer Research UK
People in the same situation: join a Cancer Research UK online forum
friends and family
You can get more information and advice on coping with penile cancer on Cancer Research UK
If you are told you have penile cancer
Being told you have penile cancer can feel overwhelming. You may be feeling anxious about what will happen next.
A team of specialists will look after you throughout your diagnosis, treatment and beyond.
Your team will include a clinical nurse specialist who will be your main point of contact during and after treatment.
You can ask them any questions you have.
Next steps
If you’ve been told you have penile cancer, you may need more tests.
These tests, along with the tests you've already had, will help the specialists find out the size of the cancer and how far it's spread (called the stage).
You may need:
Scans, like an MRI, CT scan, or PET scan
A test to see if the lymph nodes in your groin have been affected, which can happen with some penile cancers (called a lymph node biopsy)
You may not have all these tests or any of them.
The specialists will use the results of these tests and work with you to decide on the best treatment plan for you.
Find out more
Orchid: types of penile cancer
Orchid: tests and staging for penile cancer
Treatment for penile cancer
Penile cancer is more treatable if it's found early.
The treatment you need will depend on:
The size and type of penile cancer you have
Where it is
If it has spread
Your age and general health
Treatment for early cancer often involves non-surgical treatments, for example, a chemotherapy cream such as 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), and laser therapy.
If the cancer is found later, treatment may include surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Support during treatment
You’ll have a specialist team made up of doctors and nurses, and other health professionals if needed.
Your team will explain your treatments including all your regular check-ups during and after treatments, plus tests and scans if you need them. They will support you throughout.
If you're worried about anything, talk to your team. You do not need to wait for your next check-up to ask any questions.
Treatment for cancer at an early stage
Penile cancer is more treatable if it’s found early when it has not spread.
Treatment can include destroying the cancer cells with:
Chemotherapy creams
Laser treatments
Cold therapy to freeze the cells (cryotherapy)
You may also have an operation to remove either:
The affected area of your penis
The skin that covers the tip of your penis (the foreskin), which is called a circumcision
Surgery for penile cancer
Surgery for penile cancer can include removing:
The cancer and a small area around it to reduce the risk of it coming back
The top layer of skin from the head (glans) of the penis
The head of the penis
Part or sometimes all of the penis, but this is only offered if no other treatment is possible
Some lymph nodes, which are part of the body’s system that helps fight off infections
Recovery from some of these surgeries may take time.
Surgery may affect how your penis looks, such as the size or shape.
This may affect how you feel about your body. You may have many questions and worries about how you'll pee or have sex.
The specialist team looking after you can answer any questions you have about your surgery.
They'll explain exactly what surgery means for you, how it will affect you and what your options are.
Reconstructive surgery may be possible if your penis needs to be removed. This uses skin and muscle from other parts of the body to create a working penis.
Find oput more
Macmillan cancer: Support: after your operation
Cancer Research UK: after surgery
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses medicines to kill cancer cells.
You may have chemotherapy for penile cancer:
With radiotherapy (chemoradiotherapy)
Before surgery to help make the cancer smaller
After surgery to kill any cancer cells that might be left behind
If the cancer has spread to other parts of your body
Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy uses high-energy rays of radiation to kill cancer cells.
You may have radiotherapy for penile cancer:
With chemotherapy (chemoradiotherapy)
Instead of surgery
After surgery if there’s a risk that cancer cells are left in the groin
To treat the lymph nodes in the pelvis if there's a high risk of the cancer coming back
Talking about your treatment
Your team should include support staff and a counsellor or therapist who you can talk to.
The men’s cancer charity Orchid has a national helpline on 0808 802 0010 (Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9.30 am to 5.30 pm).
Help and support
You and your loved ones will be supported by a team of specialists throughout your treatment for penile cancer.
The clinical nurse specialist, or another member of your specialist team, will be able to give you information on local support services that you may find helpful.
There are also national cancer charities that offer support and information about penile cancer.
Macmillan Cancer Support
Information and support for anyone affected by cancer
Website: www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support
Helpline: 0808 808 00 00
Macmillan Cancer Support:online forum
Macmillan Cancer Support: find local services
Cancer Research Uk
Information and support for anyone affected by cancer.
Website:www.cancerresearchuk.org
Nurse helpline: 0808 800 4040
Cancer research UK: ask a nurse service
Cancer Research UK:online cancer chat forum
Cancer fresearch UK: find a clinical trial
Orchid
Information and support for anyone with or affected by cancers that only affect men (prostate, testicular and penile cancer).
Website; orchid-cancer.org.uk
Nurse helpline: 0808 802 0010 (open Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9.30am to 5.30pm)
Orchid: Advice and coping
Orchid: Facebook page
Treatment
Penile cancer may be more treatable if it's found early.
The treatment you need will depend on:
- the size and type of penile cancer you have
- where it is
- if it has spread
- your age and general health
Treatment for early cancer often involves non-surgical treatments, for example, a chemotherapy cream, such as 5 fluorouracil (5FU), and laser therapy.
If the cancer is found later, treatment may include surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Surgery
Surgery for penile cancer can include removing:
- the cancer and a small area around it to reduce the risk of it coming back
- the top layer of skin from the head (glans) of the penis
- the head of the penis
- part or sometimes all of the penis, but this is only offered if no other treatment is possible
- some lymph nodes, which are part of the body’s system that helps fight off infections
Surgery may affect how your penis looks, such as the size or shape.
This may affect how you feel about your body. You may have many questions and worries about how you'll pee or have sex.
The specialist team looking after you can answer any questions you have about your surgery.
They'll explain exactly what surgery means for you, how it will affect you and what your options are.
Reconstructive surgery may be possible if your penis needs to be removed. This uses skin and muscle from other parts of the body to create a working penis.
Find out more
Creams
If caught early, penile cancer can sometimes be treated with creams you apply to the skin of your penis or foreskin.
You may be treated with a cream if your penile cancer has been caught early, and the cancer affects your foreskin or the end of your penis.
You may be treated with:
- fluorouracil (5FU) - a chemotherapy cream which kills cancer cells directly in the skin
- imiquimod – an immunotherapy cream which helps your body’s immune system to kill cancer cells
Laser treatment
Laser treatment uses a strong beam of light, directed at the affected area, to kill cancer cells.
You may have laser treatment for penile cancer if the affected area is small or the cancer is at an early stage.
Cryotherapy
Cryotherapy uses freezing to kill cancer cells. A small device is placed on the affected area to freeze the cancer.
You may have cryotherapy if you have very early stage penile cancer, or the cancer is unlikely to have spread to other parts of your body.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses medicines to kill cancer cells.
You may have chemotherapy for penile cancer:
- with radiotherapy (chemoradiotherapy)
- before surgery to help make the cancer smaller
- after surgery to kill any cancer cells that might be left behind
- if the cancer has spread to other parts of your body
Find out more
Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy uses high-energy rays of radiation to kill cancer cells.
You may have radiotherapy for penile cancer:
- with chemotherapy (chemoradiotherapy)
- instead of surgery
- after surgery if there’s a risk that cancer cells are left in the groin
- to treat the lymph nodes in the pelvis if there's a high risk of the cancer coming back
- to help with your symptoms if cancer has spread to other parts of your body
Find out more
What happens if you're told your cancer cannot be cured
If you've been diagnosed with advanced penile cancer, it may be hard to treat and not possible to cure.
The aim of treatment will be to slow down the growth and spread of the cancer, to help with the symptoms, and help you live longer.
Finding out cancer cannot be cured can be very hard news to take in.
You'll be referred to a team of doctors and nurses called a symptom control team or palliative care team.
They will help you to manage your symptoms and make you feel more comfortable.
The palliative care team can also help you and your loved ones get any other support you need.
Find out more