Penile Cancer

Why Loyola

Compassionate, Individualized Treatment of Penile Cancer

Penile cancer is one of the many cancer types treated by the highly skilled doctors at Loyola Medicine. Our dedicated team of doctors provides an integrated approach to diagnosis and treatment of penile cancer, and our patients receive a comprehensive treatment plan specific to their needs. 

Penile cancer is a rare form of cancer that starts on the skin or in the tissue of the penis. Penis cancers are most often squamous cell carcinomas, but other more rare forms of penis cancer can include:

• Melanoma
• Merkel cell carcinoma
• Small cell carcinoma

Squamous cell cancers can develop anywhere on the penis, most often forming on the foreskin or the glans. These tumors tend to grow slowly, and the outlook (prognosis) for patients with this cancer type can be good with early diagnosis and treatment. Squamous cell carcinoma of the penis can be classified as the following:

• Carcinoma in situ (CIS)
• Verrucous carcinoma or Buschke-Lowenstein tumor

Diagnosis

How is Penile Cancer Diagnosed?

Doctors at Loyola approach the diagnosis and treatment of penile cancer with compassion and care. In most cases, a patient’s first penile cancer symptom is a change in the skin of the penis. If changes in the skin occur, your doctor will perform a physical exam, which may reveal a non-tender lesion that looks like a pimple or wart. This growth is typically near the end of the penis. 

If a physical exam indicates a potential for penile cancer, your doctor may order the following tests to complete diagnosis:

• CT scan (computed tomography) 
• CT-guided needle biopsy
• Excisional biopsy
• Incisional biopsy
• Lymph node biopsy
• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
• Ultrasound

Doctors at Loyola recognize that each tissue in the penis contains several types of cells, and that different types of cancer can develop in each kind of cell. We utilize all necessary diagnostic testing to ensure the correct cancer type is diagnosed, thereby improving outcomes for our patients.

Treatment

What are the Most Common Types of Treatment for Penile Cancer?

If you have been diagnosed with cancer of the penis, doctors at Loyola work with you to develop the best treatment method for your particular cancer type and stage. Our team of doctors will work together to develop a plan that takes into consideration your overall physical health and your personal preferences regarding treatment options. 

Treatment depends on the size and location of your tumor and how much it has spread. In general, cancer treatment includes:

• Chemotherapy
• Radiation 
• Surgery, sometimes using a laser beam or cryotherapy