Once diagnosed, there may be different treatment options for penile cancer. The specific treatment choice is determined by age, medical history, and the stage of cancer.
Ablation: This procedure uses laser energy (a beam of light) to destroy cancer cells.
Cryotherapy: Also known as cryoablation, this procedure uses liquid nitrogen to freeze and kill cancer cells.
Chemotherapy: Powerful drugs taken by mouth or delivered into the veins can be very effective in killing cancer cells, particularly if they have spread beyond the penis.
Hormonal evaluation: Before treatment, patients may have a complete hormonal evaluation to assess normal hormone levels. Hormonal replacement following treatment may be needed to help men return to their baseline. This preserves fertility and sexual function.
Immunotherapy: These are treatments that help the body’s immune system work harder in fighting cancer cells. Immunotherapy is a relatively new, safe alternative with minimal side effects.
Radiation therapy: Special machines deliver high-energy radiation rays to tumors. The rays shrink tumors and kill cancer cells.
Sperm retrieval: We have the ability to take a sample of testicular cells to look for viable sperm cells that can be preserved for use after cancer treatment.
Surgery: A surgeon uses special tools to precisely remove skin lesions and tumors from the penis. Lymph nodes may also be removed. In rare circumstances a partial penectomy (removal of the end of the penis) may be necessary.
Topical chemotherapy: A chemotherapy cream is applied to the skin to kill the cancer in the top skin layers.
Topical creams: A medication in cream form is applied repeatedly to the penis skin lesion to cause the immune system to attack and destroy the lesion.