Penile Cancer

Penile cancer develops when malignant cells in your penis grow out of control. Your penis is a rod-shaped reproductive organ that allows you to pee and have sex. Its main parts include the rod-like part (shaft) that extends from your low belly to the tip of your penis, called the head, or glans.

Types of Penile Cancer #

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) #

Cancer begins in the bottom layer of your epithelium. BCC is a slow-growing form of penile cancer.

Melanoma #

This cancer begins in cells that control how dark or light your skin is, called melanocytes. Melanoma is a more aggressive form of cancer.

Sarcoma #

Cancer develops in muscle or connective tissue. It’s an extremely rare form of penile cancer.

Causes of Penile Cancer #

• With penile cancer, a healthy cell in your skin changes to become a cancer cell.

• Cancer cells multiply out of control, forming a mass called a tumor.

• These cells can crowd out healthy cells. Over time, cancer cells can spread to other parts of your body, damaging healthy tissue and organs.

• Researchers don’t know what causes the change that transforms a healthy cell into a cancer cell, but they’ve discovered several risk factors.

• A risk factor doesn’t cause penile cancer, but it increases the possibility.

Symptoms of Penile Cancer #

• A painless lump or sore (that may bleed).

• Swelling and irritation, especially in the head of your penis (balanitis).

• Skin thickening or changing skin color.

• Flat growths that look blueish-brown.

• Foul-smelling fluid underneath your foreskin.

• Small, crusty bumps.

• Rash.

Diagnosis of Penile Cancer #

Physical exam and history #

• Your healthcare provider will examine you to check for unusual skin changes, like a lump or discoloration on your penis.

• They’ll also ask about your symptoms, habits and past illnesses.

• This information can help your healthcare provider determine whether the changes likely result from cancer or a more common cause like an infection or allergic reaction.

Biopsy #

• A biopsy is the only way to confirm a cancer diagnosis

• During the procedure, your healthcare provider removes suspicious-looking cells or tissues.

• A specialist who works in a lab (pathologist) views the cells under a microscope to check for signs of cancer.

Imaging #

You may need imaging to see how much the cancer’s spread. Depending on your cancer, your healthcare provider may order a CT scan, MRI, ultrasound, PET scan, or chest X-ray.

Treatment of Penile Cancer #

Medicated creams #

Your healthcare provider may recommend a cream that you regularly apply to your penis. Common medicines include fluorouracil and imiquimod.

Circumcision #

If the cancer is only on your foreskin, your healthcare provider may remove the tissue.

Laser ablation #

This procedure uses lasers that create extreme heat to destroy the tumor.

Cryotherapy #

This procedure uses extreme cold to destroy the tumor.

Mohs surgery #

During this procedure, your healthcare provider removes cancerous skin layer by layer until arriving at the healthy tissue underneath.

Excision #

Your healthcare provider may cut the cancer cells or tumor from your penis.

Radiation therapy #

Your healthcare provider may use energy beams, like X-rays, to destroy cancer cells or shrink a tumor before surgery.

Penectomy #

A partial penectomy removes part of your penis. A total penectomy removes your entire penis. For a total penectomy, your healthcare provider will create an opening in your abdomen or the skin between your anus and scrotum (perineum) so you can pee.

Lymphadenectomy #

Your healthcare provider may remove your lymph nodes (most commonly in your groin area) if the cancer’s spread there.