Penile Cancer

Disclaimer:
This blog is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Content is sourced from third parties, and we do not guarantee accuracy or accept any liability for its use. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical guidance.

What is Penile Cancer?

Penile cancer is a rare malignancy affecting penis tissues, primarily squamous cell carcinoma (95%), starting in skin cells (glans, foreskin). Subtypes include basaloid (aggressive) and verrucous (slow-growing). In 2025, ~2,200 US cases, median age 68, more in uncircumcised men, with human papillomavirus (HPV, types 16/18) in 40-50% of cases.

Symptoms

Symptoms include sores/ulcers on penis (glans/foreskin), discharge, bleeding, swelling (phimosis in uncircumcised), lumps, rash, color changes, and painful urination. Advanced causes lymph node swelling, weight loss, fatigue, bone pain. Symptoms mimic infections, delaying diagnosis.

Causes

HPV infection (50% of cases), poor hygiene, phimosis, smoking, balanitis, and immunosuppression (HIV) increase risk. Circumcision reduces risk. In 2025, HPV vaccination prevents 90% in vaccinated men.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis uses physical exam, biopsy for histology/staging, imaging (MRI, CT, ultrasound) for depth/spread, and sentinel node biopsy. Molecular testing for HPV/PD-L1 guides therapy. In 2025, AI biopsy analysis improves staging.

Treatment

Early-stage uses local excision, circumcision, or Mohs surgery. Advanced requires partial/total penectomy, lymph node dissection, radiation, or chemotherapy (cisplatin-based). Immunotherapy (pembrolizumab for PD-L1+) for metastatic. In 2025, HPV-targeted therapies show promise.

Future Outlook

In 2025, 5-year survival is 65% overall, 85% localized. Vaccination reduces incidence by 70%. By 2030, immunotherapies could raise survival to 80%.

Sources

The information is based on Cleveland Clinic’s “Penile Cancer: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment” for symptoms; Dana-Farber’s “Penile Cancer Causes and Symptoms” for causes; OncoDaily’s “Penile Cancer: Symptoms, Causes, Stages, Diagnosis and Treatment” for diagnosis; Penn Medicine’s “Penile Cancer – Symptoms and Causes” for symptoms; American Cancer Society’s “Penile Cancer” for overview; Patient.info’s “Penile Cancer: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment” for treatment; WebMD’s “Penile Cancer (Cancer of the Penis): Symptoms, Diagnosis, and More” for diagnosis; Healthline’s “Penile Cancer: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention” for prevention; NewYork-Presbyterian’s “Penile Cancer: Diagnosis & Treatment” for treatment; Manchester Urology’s “Penile Cancer: What Every Man Should Know” for awareness.