Penile cancer is very rare. Each year, less than 1,300 men in the United States are diagnosed with this condition. Most penile cancers begin from flat skin cells lining the penis (squamous cell cancer). Most occur on the tip of the penis (or the foreskin if a male has not been circumcised).
Risk Factors
Penile cancer is very rare though there are some risk factors men should be aware of:
- Being infected with the human papilloma virus (HPV)
- Having the foreskin intact (not being circumcised)
- Smoking
- Previous ultraviolet light treatment for psoriasis
- Older age
- Presence of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
Symptoms
Patients who have risk factors or who experience symptoms should see their doctor. Those who have penile cancer may experience a combination of the following symptoms:
- Skin changes on the tip or shaft of the penis including a lump, rash, sore, bump, growth, or fluid under the foreskin
- Swelling of the penis tip or the lymph nodes in the groin
Types
There are three main types of penile cancer:
- Squamous cell carcinoma
- Verrucous carcinoma
- Carcinoma in situ (CIS)