Penile Cancer Treatment (PDQ®)–Patient Version

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PENILE CANCER

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General Information About Penile Cancer

KEY POINTS

Penile cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the penis.
Human papillomavirus infection may increase the risk of developing penile cancer.
Signs of penile cancer include sores, discharge, and bleeding.
Tests that examine the penis are used to detect (find) and diagnose penile cancer.
Certain factors affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options.

Penile cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the penis.

The penis is a rod-shaped male reproductive organ that passes spermand urine from the body. It contains two types of erectile tissue (spongy tissue with blood vessels that fill with blood to make an erection):

Corpora cavernosa: The two columns of erectile tissue that form most of the penis.
Corpus spongiosum: The single column of erectile tissue that forms a small portion of the penis. The corpus spongiosum surrounds the urethra (the tube through which urine and sperm pass from the body).

The erectile tissue is wrapped in connective tissue and covered with skin. The glans (head of the penis) is covered with loose skin called the foreskin.

Anatomy of the penis; drawing shows the base, shaft, glans, foreskin, and urethral opening. Also shown are the scrotum, prostate, pubic bone, and lymph nodes. An inset shows a cross section of the inside of the penis, including the blood vessels, dorsal nerve, connective tissue, erectile tissue (corpus cavernosum and corpus spongiosum), and urethra. — Anatomy of the penis. The parts of the penis are the base, shaft, glans, and foreskin. The tissues that make up the penis include the dorsal nerve, blood vessels, connective tissue, and erectile tissue (corpus cavernosum and corpus spongiosum). The urethra passes from the bladder to the tip of the penis.

Human papillomavirus infection may increase the risk of developing penile cancer.

Anything that increases your chance of getting a disease is called a risk factor. Having a risk factor does not mean that you will get cancer; not having risk factors doesn't mean that you will not get cancer. Talk with your doctor if you think you may be at risk. Risk factors for penile cancer include the following:

Circumcision may help prevent infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV). A circumcision is an operation in which the doctor removes part or all of the foreskin from the penis. Many boys are circumcised shortly after birth. Men who were not circumcised at birth may have a higher risk of developing penile cancer.

Other risk factors for penile cancer include the following:

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.
Using tobacco products.

Signs of penile cancer include sores, discharge, and bleeding.

These and other signs may be caused by penile cancer or by other conditions. Check with your doctor if you have any of the following:

Redness, irritation, or a sore on the penis.
A lump on the penis.

Tests that examine the penis are used to detect (find) and diagnose penile cancer.

The following tests and procedures may be used:

Physical exam and history : An exam of the body to check general signs of health, including checking the penis for signs of disease, such as lumps or anything else that seems unusual. A history of the patient’s health habits and past illnesses and treatments will also be taken.
Biopsy : The removal of cells or tissues so they can be viewed under a microscope by a pathologist to check for signs of cancer. The tissue sample is removed during one of the following procedures:
- Incisional biopsy : The removal of part of a lump or a sample of tissue that doesn't look normal.
- Excisional biopsy : The removal of an entire lump or area of tissue that doesn’t look normal.