Penile Cancer

Penile cancer has excellent outcomes when found and treated early. Our experienced providers know how to spot the first signs of this uncommon cancer. They’ll quickly meet with you, run tests and review the results. Then, they’ll build a treatment plan that matches what you need.

Physical exam

When you first come to see us, your provider will look at your penis. Be ready to point out any changes you’ve noticed — like a lump or a change in skin color. They’ll also talk with you about your health history and lifestyle habits, including if you smoke and if you practice safe sex.

Biopsy

Because a biopsy is the only way to confirm if you have penile cancer, your provider will likely remove some suspicious tissue from your penis. Our team will look at these samples under a microscope to see if they can spot any cancer cells. Depending on the type of biopsy, you might have it in your provider’s office. Or you might have it in an operating room. If you do, you’ll be asleep for it and will likely go home the same day.

Imaging

Taking pictures using different imaging tools can also help us learn more about your cancer and see if it’s spread to other areas of your body. We might order X-rays, a PET scan, an MRI, ultrasounds or a CT scan to dive deeper into getting the right diagnosis and treatment plan.

Getting a second opinion for penile cancer

No one ever wants to hear they have cancer. And when it’s an uncommon condition, like penile cancer, you might be left wondering how to make sure you get the best care. That’s why at Cleveland Clinic, we encourage second opinions. We want you to feel confident that your cancer care team is the best. You can trust our highly skilled providers to answer your questions and listen to your concerns. We can help confirm a diagnosis and offer our expert advice on treatment options. And we always try to get your appointment scheduled as soon as possible.

You don’t have to worry that you’ll upset your current provider if you meet with us, either. We regularly consult with other providers, and we’ll never do anything to harm your relationship with them.

When it comes to your care, you want to feel in control. A second opinion can give you peace of mind knowing that you’re in the most capable and compassionate hands.

We plan your treatment based on the type of penile cancer you have and its stage (if and how far the cancer has spread). We also consider your age, lifestyle and treatment goals. And we’ll work to minimize side effects and try to help you pee and have sex as normally as possible so you can maintain your quality of life.

Penile cancer surgery

Surgery is the most common treatment for penile cancer. Depending on your cancer, we may recommend:

• Circumcision: We might be able to treat early-stage cancer that’s only on your foreskin by using This surgery removes the skin on the head of your penis.
• Simple or wide local excision: We’ll remove the tumor and some of the healthy tissue around it. Depending on the size of your tumor, we’ll stitch the healthy skin back together or use a skin graft (usually from your thigh or belly) to cover the wound.
• Mohs surgery: Early-stage cancer that has only penetrated the top layers of your skin may be treated with Mohs surgery. We gradually remove the skin in the affected area layer by layer until no cancerous cells are left. This can preserve more healthy tissue than a deeper cut. It also lowers the risk of changing how your penis will look or work. Our plastic and dermatologic surgeons are experts in this highly sophisticated technique.
• Glansectomy: If cancer is only on the head of your penis (glans), we may be able to remove it with a glansectomy. In most cases, you’ll be able to pee normally and have an erection after this procedure.
• Penectomy: If you have more advanced penile cancer, we may need to remove part or all of your penis. A partial penectomy removes the head of your penis and some of the shaft. A total penectomy removes your penis, its shaft and some of the root that goes into your pelvis. We’ll also reroute your urethra so you can pee.
• Lymph node surgery: Advanced penile cancer can enter the lymph nodes in your groin. If this happens, we’ll take out those lymph nodes using minimally invasive robotic techniques whenever possible.

Nonsurgical penile cancer treatments

We might also treat your cancer with other therapies instead of or along with surgery. The therapy you have depends on your health, the type of cancer you have, how far along it is and if it has spread to other parts of your body.

• Topical therapy: For patients with early stage penile cancer, medicated creams can sometimes be an effective treatment option.
• Chemotherapy: You may get chemotherapy in combination with surgery, radiation therapy or both. Chemotherapy can be taken as a pill or given through a needle in a vein in your arm or as cream applied directly to your skin (topical). Topical chemotherapy may destroy penile cancer cells in the top layers of your skin.
• Laser ablation: Laser ablation uses powerful beams of light to destroy cancer cells in your skin’s top layers. We may recommend this treatment if you decide not to have surgery.
• Radiation therapy: Our specialists may recommend radiation therapy before surgery to shrink a tumor before removing it. Or we might recommend you have it after surgery to destroy any remaining cancer cells. Sometimes we can even treat small, early-stage tumors with radiation instead of surgery.

Penile reconstruction after cancer treatment

You might want to have penile reconstruction after cancer treatment to improve the appearance of your penis. In some cases, reconstructive surgery can also bring back some feeling or function in your penis. We may use soft tissue grafts, penile implants and other techniques to do the reconstruction. Your providers will talk with you about what could work best for you.

Taking the Next Step

Finding out you have penile cancer can be a shock. You might feel angry, worried, scared or all of the above. But the sooner you get treatment, the better chance you have for a good outcome. Cleveland Clinic healthcare providers know what it takes to make this happen. From diagnosis to treatment and beyond, we’re here for you at every step of your cancer journey — physically and emotionally.