Treatment

Treatment for penile cancer

Penile cancer may be more treatable if it's found early.

The treatment you need will depend on:

the size and type of penile cancer you have
where it is
if it has spread
your age and general health

Treatment for early cancer often involves non-surgical treatments, for example, a chemotherapy cream, such as 5 fluorouracil (5FU), and laser therapy.

If the cancer is found later, treatment may include surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Surgery

Surgery for penile cancer can include removing:

the cancer and a small area around it to reduce the risk of it coming back
the top layer of skin from the head (glans) of the penis
the head of the penis
part or sometimes all of the penis, but this is only offered if no other treatment is possible
some lymph nodes, which are part of the body's system that helps fight off infections

Surgery may affect how your penis looks, such as the size or shape.

This may affect how you feel about your body. You may have many questions and worries about how you'll pee or have sex.

The specialist team looking after you can answer any questions you have about your surgery.

They'll explain exactly what surgery means for you, how it will affect you and what your options are.

Reconstructive surgery may be possible if your penis needs to be removed. This uses skin and muscle from other parts of the body to create a working penis.

Find out more

Creams

If caught early, penile cancer can sometimes be treated with creams you apply to the skin of your penis or foreskin.

You may be treated with a cream if your penile cancer has been caught early, and the cancer affects your foreskin or the end of your penis.

You may be treated with:

fluorouracil (5FU) - a chemotherapy cream which kills cancer cells directly in the skin
imiquimod - an immunotherapy cream which helps your body's immune system to kill cancer cells

Laser treatment

Laser treatment uses a strong beam of light, directed at the affected area, to kill cancer cells.

You may have laser treatment for penile cancer if the affected area is small or the cancer is at an early stage.

Cryotherapy

Cryotherapy uses freezing to kill cancer cells. A small device is placed on the affected area to freeze the cancer.

You may have cryotherapy if you have very early stage penile cancer, or the cancer is unlikely to have spread to other parts of your body.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy uses medicines to kill cancer cells.

You may have chemotherapy for penile cancer:

with radiotherapy (chemoradiotherapy)
before surgery to help make the cancer smaller
after surgery to kill any cancer cells that might be left behind
if the cancer has spread to other parts of your body

Find out more

Cancer Research UK: chemotherapy for penile cancer

Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy uses high-energy rays of radiation to kill cancer cells.

You may have radiotherapy for penile cancer:

with chemotherapy (chemoradiotherapy)
instead of surgery
after surgery if there's a risk that cancer cells are left in the groin
to treat the lymph nodes in the pelvis if there's a high risk of the cancer coming back
to help with your symptoms if cancer has spread to other parts of your body

Find out more

Cancer Research UK: radiotherapy for penile cancer

What happens if you're told your cancer cannot be cured

If you've been diagnosed with advanced penile cancer, it may be hard to treat and not possible to cure.

The aim of treatment will be to slow down the growth and spread of the cancer, to help with the symptoms, and help you live longer.

Finding out cancer cannot be cured can be very hard news to take in.

You'll be referred to a team of doctors and nurses called a symptom control team or palliative care team.

They will help you to manage your symptoms and make you feel more comfortable.

The palliative care team can also help you and your loved ones get any other support you need.

Find out more

Macmillan Cancer Support: end of life care

Sexual Health Advice

Throughout this series we have help and advice on staying healthy, dealing with Sexually Transmitted Infections, the risks of each type of the most popular gay sex and what to do if the sex you have is not consentual. The topics covered in this series include:

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