Mr Aditya Manjunath
Consultant Urological Surgeon and Penile Cancer Specialist,
Bristol Urological Institute
Mr Jonathan Aning
Chairman, BAUS Section of Oncology Executive Committee
Although penile cancer is rare, it is important to self-examine regularly for any changes or swelling in the penis or groin. If identified early, it can be treated.
In 2018, there were approximately 700 new cases of penile cancer diagnosed (CRUK data). While penile cancer can affect any part of the penis, it most commonly affects the foreskin (16%) and the head (glans) of the penis (45%).
Risk factors for penile cancer
Penile cancer is generally more common in men over 50 years old, but the exact cause is not known. Around half of all penile cancers are thought to be caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), an infection that spreads usually through skin-to-skin contact during sexual activity and affects the genital area.
Long-term problems with not being able to retract the foreskin, medically termed phimosis, can be also associated with penile cancer. Chronic inflammation, obesity and smoking are also risk factors.
When to seek help
It is not unusual to feel embarrassed about noticing something is not right in your genital area. However, you should see your doctor if:
- You notice a growth, rash or sore area on your penis that does not heal within four weeks
- You notice bleeding or unusual discharge coming from under your foreskin
It is not unusual to feel embarrassed about noticing something is not right in your genital area.
Diagnosis for penile cancer
Penile cancer can be diagnosed by examination in expert hands; the hospital specialist will examine the genital area and may arrange for a biopsy.
You may also need scans to image your penis such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) or a CT scan. These tests are to see how much of the penis is involved and whether any cancer has spread to other areas.
What are the treatment options?
Due to the rarity of the disease, penile cancer treatment in the UK is delivered in specialist centres. In England, there are nine specialist penile cancer centres (currently termed ‘supra-regional centres’).
The first treatment is usually surgery. The type of operation that needs to be performed depends on the extent of the cancer. Specialists will aim to remove the cancer but preserve as much of the functional penis as is safe. In more advanced cases, chemotherapy or radiotherapy may be involved, or further surgery may be required to remove groin lymph nodes.
This is why penile cancers must be picked up early. By increasing awareness of penile cancer across the UK and offering the most advanced treatments, we can save lives and aim for better recovery after treatment.
