Penile Cancer

Penile cancer is a type of cancer that occurs in the penis, part of the male reproductive system.

Penile cancer can be a scary diagnosis for those with male reproductive organs, but it is usually very rare and also highly treatable.

Frequent indicators of penile cancer include growths or sores, an area of skin becoming thicker, changes in the skin color, a reddish, velvety rash under the foreskin, or smelly discharge or bleeding under the foreskin.

Specialists in the GW Cancer Center’s Urologic Oncology Program use the newest technology to diagnose and treat penile cancer based on each individual’s needs.

Specialty Care for Penile Cancer

The urologic oncology specialists at the GW Cancer Center guide you through diagnosis and treatment of penile cancer. Every patient has different needs so we offer therapies that will result in the best possible outcomes for each individual.

Our program offers a clinic where patients can meet with several specialists in a single visit. Using advanced screening options, our specialists work together to accurately diagnose the type of penile cancer. We then create a treatment plan that will deliver the best results. Treatments may include participation in life-saving clinical trials.

Penile Cancer Program Information

Collaborative Care

• Patient navigators support patients who have been diagnosed with penile cancer. Navigators steer patients through the process. They even help them with the financial aspects of a cancer diagnosis, such as working with insurers.
• We offer a multidisciplinary clinic where patients can conveniently interact with several specialists in one visit. Our team works together to provide an accurate diagnosis and to create the best treatment plan.
• Patients who have received a diagnosis of penile cancer should promptly consult our male fertility specialists prior to undergoing treatment. You can contact a specialist at saveyoursperm@mfa.gwu.edu and expect a prompt response. Our specialists will provide a quick evaluation and options for fertility preservation. You can then begin cancer treatment with little or no delay, confident that you have taken every step possible to allow yourself the option of children in your future.

Clinical Research

Patients in clinical trials benefit from the latest developments in the field.

GW Cancer Center partners with these organizations to offer clinical trials for patients with Penile cancer:

• The Genitourinary Multidisciplinary D.C. Regional Oncology Project (GUMDROP)
• The National Cancer Institute (NCI) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH)
• The Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG)

Advanced Diagnosis and Treatment

GW Cancer Center offers specialized screening and treatment for Penile cancer.

• Immunotherapy enhances the body's ability to fight cancer. This safe, new alternative has minimal side effects.
• Patients diagnosed with penile cancer may receive advanced treatment options including surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy.

Leading Edge Technology

GW Cancer Center invests in state-of-the-art technologies for cancer diagnosis and treatment:

• GW was the first in the area to use the da Vinci® robot for minimally invasive urologic surgery. We have performed the highest number of robotic cases in the greater Washington, D.C., area.