About Penile Cancer
With penile cancer, knowledge is key to smart prevention and early detection.
Penile cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the penis. The penis contains two types of erectile tissue (spongy tissue with blood vessels that fill with blood to make an erection): corpora cavernosa and corpus spongiosum. The erectile tissue is wrapped in connective tissue and covered with skin.
Learn more about penile cancer symptoms and risk factors below to be informed and empowered to take charge of your health.
Symptoms and Risk Factors of Penile Cancer
Signs of penile cancer include sores, discharge and bleeding. These and other signs may be caused by penile cancer or by other conditions. Check with your doctor if you have any of the following:
- Redness, irritation or a sore on the penis
- A lump on the penis
Human papillomavirus infection, or HPV, may increase the risk of developing penile cancer.
Risk factors for penile cancer include the following:
Circumcision may help prevent HPV infection. A circumcision is an operation in which the doctor removes part or all of the foreskin from the penis. Many boys are circumcised shortly after birth. Men who were not circumcised at birth may have a higher risk of developing penile cancer.
Other risk factors for penile cancer include:
- Being age 60 or older
- Having phimosis (a condition in which the foreskin of the penis cannot be pulled back over the glans)
- Having poor personal hygiene
- Having many sexual partners
- Using tobacco products
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