A penile cancer diagnosis affects many aspects of your life and health. But together, we’ll find the right treatment for your cancer — and for you.
Your personalized care plan will include advanced treatments and services, including nutritional advice, physical rehabilitation and pain management, to address all your needs.
Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute’s genitourinary oncologists combine world-class medical expertise with compassionate care. We create a personalized care plan that helps address your individual needs.
What is penile cancer?
The penis is the external male sex organ that passes sperm and urine out of the body. Penile cancer occurs when cancer cells form in the tissues of the penis. The human papillomavirus (HPV) causes about one-third of penile cancer cases.
According to the American Cancer Society, the five-year survival rate for penile cancer that hasn’t spread is 79 percent. For cancer that has spread to nearby organs or lymph nodes, the five-year survival rate is 51 percent.
Types of Penile Cancer
Nearly all penile cancers start in the skin cells of the penis. About 95 percent of penile cancers are squamous cell carcinomas, which are cancers that start in the flat skin cells called squamous cells. These cancers are most often found in the foreskin or the glans (head) of the penis.
Other, less common forms of penile cancer can include:
- Adenocarcinoma – also known as Paget disease of the penis. This is a rare form of penile cancer that can form in the sweat glands in the penis skin.
- Basal cell carcinoma – a slow-growing form of skin cancer that rarely spreads.
- Melanoma – an aggressive type of skin cancer that forms in the melanocytes.
- Sarcoma – this is a cancer that can form in the smooth muscle, blood vessels or other connective tissue in the penis.
Some early signs of penile cancer can include:
- Lumps under the skin in the groin area
- Skin changes, such as color changes, rash or sores
- Swelling at the end of the penis
Penile Cancer Risk Factors
Researchers believe that the human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the main risk factors for penile cancer. HPV is a group of more than 150 related viruses that can cause warts on the body, especially in the genital area.
Men who are not circumcised at birth are at a higher risk for developing penile cancer. Doctors are not clear on why this is the case, but they believe it is because it is related to other risk factors. For example, men who are not circumcised are more likely to be infected with HPV and develop other conditions linked to penile cancer.
Other risk factors for penile cancer include the following:
- Being over the age of 60
- Having AIDS
- Having many sexual partners
- Having phimosis. This is a condition where the foreskin is tight and difficult to retract, making it hard to clean the head of the penis. Secretions under the foreskin can build up to form a substance called smegma, which is also a risk factor for penile cancer.
- Having poor personal hygiene
- Using tobacco
How to Prevent Penile Cancer
Penile cancer responds well to treatment when it is diagnosed early. But there is no guaranteed way to prevent penile cancer. However, you can support your health and reduce your risk, including the following:
- Getting circumcised
- Not using tobacco
- Practicing good genital hygiene
- Practicing safe sex by using protection (such as condoms) and limiting your sexual partners
