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Penile Cancer
Understanding Your Diagnosis Deciding on Treatment Managing Side Effects Cancer FAQs Advanced Reading
Penile cancer is a rare kind of cancer that begins in the cells of the penile tissue. It is rarely found in men in the United States.
Overview
Ninety-five percent of penile cancer cases are squamous cell carcinoma. Squamous cell penile cancer is slow growing and can be cured if found early.
Understanding Your Diagnosis
In many cases, the first sign of penile cancer is an ulcer, sore, or growth on the penis. The growth is usually painless and shows up on the glans or the foreskin.
Deciding on Treatment
The treatment for penile cancer may be local, using surgery, radiation therapy, topical chemotherapy, or biological therapy. Or, treatment may be systemic, killing cancer cells throughout the body.
Managing Side Effects
Side effects for penile cancer treatment affect each man differently. You may have no side effects, but other men may have several. Your doctor or cancer nurse will work to ease any side effects you experience.
Advanced Reading
Learn more about penile cancer from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Physician Data Query (PDQ®) for patients. It includes information about prevention, screening, and treatment.
