Revised April 2011
This information should not be used to self-diagnose, or be used in place of a qualified physician’s care.
- Patients with penis cancer of the penis are treated by members of the BC Cancer Agency’s Genitourinary Tumour Group.
- For healthcare professional information on treating this cancer, please see our Cancer Management Guidelines.
- Other names/types of penis cancers: penile cancer or cancer of the penis.
- The penis is the external male sexual organ and is part of the urinary system.
What causes it and who gets it?
Listed below are some of the known risk factors for this cancer. Not all of the risk factors below may cause this cancer, but they may be contributing factors.
- Penis cancer is rare in Canada and the United States.
- Men aged 50-70 are at a greater risk of penis cancer.
- Risk of penis cancer is greater among men who were never circumcised compared with those who were circumcised at birth.
- Uncircumcised men who do not regularly clean under the foreskin (loose skin covering the head of the penis) are more at risk.
- The risk of penis cancer is greater for smokers than non-smokers.
- Men with a lifetime history of 30 or more sexual partners are more likely to have penis cancer.
- Men with a history of penile rash or a sexually transmitted disease, such as Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) or genital warts, are more at risk.
- Sexual intercourse with a female with cervical cancer does not cause penile cancer.
- Statistics - Penile cancers are very rare and statistics are not published separately for this cancer. Instead, numbers are included with a group of related cancers under "Genital Cancers".
Can I help to prevent it?
- Uncircumcised men should retract (pull back) the foreskin and thoroughly wash the penis on a regular basis, in order to make sure that smegma (a substance that is caused by dead skin cells, bacteria, and oily secretions from the skin) does not cause irritation of the penis.
- Limit the number of sexual partners you have.
- Don’t smoke.
Screening for this cancer
- There are no screening tests for penis cancer.
Signs and Symptoms
- Sore or ulcer on the tip of the penis that does not heal. Any lesion or sore on the penis should be checked by a doctor.
- Lump in the groin.
- Discharge from the penis which may irritate and itch.
- Bleeding upon erection.
Diagnosis
This is a list of some or all of the tests used to diagnose this type of cancer.
- Physical examination.
- Biopsy (usually done under local anaesthetic).
- Circumcision (removal of foreskin) may be necessary to remove the tumour or to expose the lesion for biopsy.
- CT scan of pelvis.
- Chest X-ray.
- For more information on all cancer diagnostic tests, see our Recommended Websites, Diagnosis section.
Types and Stages
Staging describes the extent of a cancer. The TNM classification system is used as the standard around the world. In general a lower number in each category means a better prognosis. The stage of the cancer is used to plan the treatment.
- T describes the site and size of the main tumour (primary)
- N describes involvement of lymph nodes
- M relates to whether the cancer has spread (presence or absence of distant metastases)
Stages
| |
Stage 0 |
Carcinoma in-situ. The cancer has not spread below the surface layer of skin, and has not spread to any lymph nodes or distant sites. |
|
Stage I |
The cancer has spread to the connective tissue just under the surface layer of skin. It has not spread to any lymph nodes or distant sites. |
|
Stage II |
The cancer has spread to blood or lymph vessels and/or into the internal chambers of the penis and/or the urethra. It has not spread to any lymph nodes or distant sites. |
|
Stage III |
The cancer has spread to the urethra and has spread to one or more lymph nodes in the groin, but has not spread to distant organs. |
|
Stage IV |
The cancer has spread to nearby tissues such as the prostate and may have spread to lymph nodes in the groin; the cancer has spread beyond lymph nodes in the groin or to pelvic lymph nodes; or the cancer has spread to distant organs. |
Types
- 95% of penis cancers are squamous cell carcinomas.
- Other types of penile cancers include melanomas and sarcomas.
Treatment
Cancer therapies can be highly individualized – your treatment may differ from what is described below.
- If found and treated in the early stages, penis cancers have a five year survival rate of 85-90%.
- If penis cancer has spread to lymph nodes in the groin, the five year survival rate is 30-40%.
Treatment by Stage
Stage 0
- In-situ penis cancer can be treated by local excision (removal) alone, without sacrificing the penis.
- In selected cases, it may be treated with laser therapy.
Stage I and early Stage II
- If the cancer is only in the foreskin, it may be treated by circumcision alone.
- A partial penectomy (surgery to remove part of the penis) may be necessary if the cancer is more extensive.
- Radiotherapy may be a treatment option which can allow for preservation of the penis.
- Brachytherapy may be another option which can allow for preservation of the penis.
- This procedure is only available at the Vancouver Centre.
Stage II and early Stage III
- Partial penectomy (surgery to remove part of the penis) or radical penectomy (surgery to remove the entire penis).
- For patients whose medical condition does not permit surgery or where the patient does not wish to have surgery, radiotherapy to the pelvis is an alternative treatment.
Stage III and Stage IV
- Exenterative surgery may be performed in select cases. This is a surgery that removes all organs from the pelvic cavity.
- If surgery is not possible, palliative radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy may be used.
Follow-up after Treatment
- Guidelines for follow-up after treatment has ended have been developed by the BC Cancer Agency and are listed on our website.
- You will be returned to the care of your family doctor or your specialist for regular follow-up.
- Follow-up testing is based on your type of cancer and your individual circumstances.
- The BCCA Survivorship Research Centre focusses on the issues that cancer survivors can face
Coping with Cancer
The Coping with Cancer section of our website is a joint project among different BC Cancer Agency departments and programs. This website section provides information and links that can help cancer patients with the physical, emotional, psychological and practical aspects of care. Each cancer experience is different, but in one way or another, many cancer patients share the same needs.
The effects of cancer and its treatment can present unique challenges: from practical concerns like money and housing, to emotional concerns like anxiety and grief. If you need support with the practical and emotional impacts of cancer, or in managing symptoms and side effects you can use the information in Coping with Cancer to connect to these resources.
Search our library catalogue
- The BC Cancer AgencyLibrary has many resources about cancer, coping, talking to children, etc. Please visit the Library in your Centre, call a librarian, or visit the Library online to see the many resources available.
- Automatically get a bibliography of books, videos and other items available through our library.
Recommended websites
The BC Cancer Agency has selected and evaluated these useful websites for your further information.
Penis cancer
Sexuality and Fertility
Websites for cancer survivors, and how to stay healthy after treatment.
Videos
View videos on cancer-related topics that the BC Cancer Agency produces.
How can I help with research at BCCA?
BC Cancer Agency patients are very helpful when it comes to the fight against cancer. Here are a few ways that you can help:
This information is awaiting Tumour Group approval.