Penile cancer generally starts on the glans (head or tip) of the penis. Each patient¡¯s disease is classified by the type of cells in which it develops.
The penis contains several types of cells. The main types of penile cancer are:
- Squamous cell carcinoma
- Kaposi sarcoma
- Adenocarcinoma
- Melanoma
- Basal cell carcinoma
- Sarcoma
In the United States, penile cancer is diagnosed in about 1,300 men each year. The penile cancer rate is much higher in India and some South American and African countries.
Penile Cancer Risk Factors
Anything that increases your chance of getting penile cancer is a risk factor. These include:
- Age: Most cases are seen in men 50 to 70 years old. About a third are in men under 50.
- Tobacco use
- Human papillomavirus (HPV): This sexually transmitted disease has more than a dozen subtypes. HPV 16 and HPV 18 are linked most often to penile cancer.
- Lack of circumcision at birth
- Phimosis: A condition that makes it difficult to pull back the foreskin. This can lead to the buildup of body oils, bacteria and other debris known as smegma.
- UV light treatment of psoriasis
- AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome)
Learn more about penile cancer:
Behavioral and lifestyle changes can help prevent penile cancer. Visit our prevention and screening section to learn how to manage your risk.
Learn more about clinical trials for penile cancer.
10 cancer symptoms men shouldn't ignore
Nagging back pain. Indigestion. Frequent urination. You may assume these are minor health issues that don¡¯t need a doctor¡¯s visit. But think again.?
Cancer symptoms are often vague. In fact,?prostate cancer?¨C the most common cancer in men ¨C has some of the least obvious symptoms.?
¡°Men shouldn¡¯t ignore their health,¡± says?, medical director of?MD Anderson¡¯s?Cancer Prevention Center. ¡°It¡¯s vital to pay attention to changes in your body and report unusual symptoms to your doctor right away.¡±?
Knowing what symptoms to look for can help your doctor find cancer early when it¡¯s most treatable.?
Bevers shares some of the most common cancer symptoms in men.?
Abnormal lump?
Have you recently felt a mass or lump right below your skin? This may be a sign of cancer. Lumps normally show up in the breast, testicles, lymph nodes and soft tissues, like tendons and ligaments. Report it to your doctor immediately, especially if you just found it, or it has grown in size.?
Changes in your testicles?
Have you noticed changes in the size of your testicles, like one or both have gotten bigger? Maybe you¡¯ve found a lump, or your testicles feel swollen or extra heavy. Any of these signs should send you straight to your doctor.?Testicular cancer?is most common in young and middle-aged men.?
Changes in your bathroom habits?
Suddenly need to use the restroom all the time? Or have pain when you go? This may be a sign of?bladder?or?prostate cancer. Other signs to look out for are?blood in your stool?or urine. Changes in your bowel habits, like constipation or diarrhea that won¡¯t go away, matter, too.?
Changes in your skin?
If you work long hours outside or have a history of blistering sunburn, check your skin closely for?skin cancer.??
Skin cancer symptoms include:?
- Unusual bleeding?
- Scaling?
- Sores that do not heal?
- Warts, moles or freckles that change in color, size or shape
Bottom line: If you¡¯ve got a strange spot on your skin, see a dermatologist.?
Indigestion or trouble swallowing?
A prolonged painful burning sensation in your throat or chest shouldn¡¯t be ignored ¨C even if you suspect it¡¯s from eating spicy food. Don¡¯t assume that regular indigestion or trouble swallowing is a normal part of aging either. It can be a sign of?esophageal,?stomach?or?throat cancer.??
Persistent cough or hoarseness?
Do you have a nagging cough that lasts more than three weeks? This could be a sign that something is wrong. Whether you smoke or not, a cough that doesn¡¯t go away can be a sign of?lung cancer. Persistent hoarseness, wheezing, shortness of breath or coughing up blood are also signs to call your doctor right away.?
Changes in your mouth?
If you smoke, chew, dip, spit or vape?tobacco, you need to pay close attention to changes inside your mouth. White patches inside your mouth or white patches on your tongue may be pre-cancers. Left untreated, these areas can turn into?oral cancer. Sores, unexplained bleeding, numbness or tenderness in the area around your mouth ¨C like your tongue, lips and cheeks ¨C should tell you that it¡¯s time for a checkup.?
Unexplained weight loss?
Are you dropping pounds without changing your diet or exercise habits? Call your doctor ¨C even if you think they¡¯re pounds you need to lose. Losing 10 pounds or more for no known reason can be a sign of?pancreatic,?stomach,?esophageal?or?lung cancer.?
Constant fatigue?
Are you too tired to play with your kids or hang out with friends after work? Are you constantly tired no matter how much rest you get? Don¡¯t brush it off. Constant fatigue can be a sign of?leukemia, as well as some?colon?and?stomach cancers.?
Persistent pain?
Nagging back pain, a headache that won¡¯t go away, abdominal or stomach pains ¨C your doctor needs to know. Persistent pain, no matter the location, may be the first sign that something¡¯s wrong. See your doctor about any pain that lasts for several weeks or longer.?
See a doctor if your symptoms persist?
Remember, having one or more of these symptoms doesn¡¯t mean you have cancer. But if they¡¯re persistent, head in for a checkup.??
The sooner you see a doctor, the sooner you can figure out what is causing your symptoms. And, if your symptoms are caused by cancer, it is best to find out early when cancer is most treatable.?
The bottom line: see your doctor to determine what is causing your symptoms and get you on the road to recovery. ?
?or call 1-877-632-6789.?
Why choose MD Anderson for penile cancer treatment?
The experts at MD Anderson's Genitourinary Cancer Center are among the nation's most skilled and experienced at penile cancer treatment and diagnosis. While urologists outside major cancer centers typically see one case of penile cancer every two to three years, more than 30 men with penile cancer are treated at MD Anderson each year. This translates to an extraordinary level of expertise that can make a direct difference in your successful treatment and recovery.
Customized, Comprehensive Care
At MD Anderson, you receive personalized penile cancer treatment from a team of some of the most renowned experts in the nation. This group, which includes medical and surgical oncologists, as well as other physicians and a specially trained support staff, collaborates to ensure you receive the most advanced penile cancer treatments with the least impact on your body. As one of the premier cancer research institutions, we are able to offer a range of clinical trials of new agents to treat penile cancer.
And, at MD Anderson you're surrounded by the strength of one of the nation's largest and most experienced comprehensive cancer centers, which has all the support and wellness services needed to treat the whole person ¨C not just the disease.
Cancer is like a teeter-totter. Sometimes you gotta go down to get back up.
