Penile Cancer: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Achuta Uppu, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Penile Cancer?
A urologist, a doctor who treats the urinary tract and male reproductive organs, usually treats penile cancer. An oncologist, a cancer doctor, often helps with chemotherapy or radiation. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is penile cancer?
Penile cancer is cancer that starts in the penis, an organ that makes up part of the male reproductive system. It is rare. It usually affects middle age and older men. It typically starts on the skin of the penis, so its signs and symptoms often allow it to be found at an early stage.
Symptoms
The first sign is most often a change in the skin of the penis. It is most likely on the glans (the tip) or on the foreskin, but it can also be on the shaft. Changes may include:
- An area of skin that becomes thicker.
- A change in skin color.
- A lump.
- A sore, called an ulcer, that might bleed.
- A reddish, velvety rash under the foreskin.
- Small, crusty bumps or flat, bluish-brown growths.
- Smelly discharge or bleeding under the foreskin.
Swelling at the end of the penis is another possible sign, and the foreskin may be harder to draw back. Sores or lumps usually do not hurt, but they might. Pain and bleeding from the penis may occur with advanced disease. Weight loss and trouble passing urine are also possible. Lumps in the groin can mean the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes there. Many of these signs are more likely to be caused by other conditions.
Causes and who gets it
The exact cause of penile cancer is unknown. Some things raise the risk, including:
- Not keeping the area under the foreskin clean, which lets a cheese-like, foul-smelling substance called smegma build up.
- A history of genital warts or human papillomavirus (HPV) infection.
- Smoking.
- Injury to the penis.
How doctors diagnose it
A health care provider will do a physical exam and ask about your health history and symptoms. A biopsy of the growth is needed to find out if it is cancer. A biopsy means a small piece of the growth is taken and tested in a lab.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the size and location of the tumor and how much it has spread. Surgery is the most common treatment for all stages of penile cancer.
Laser surgery uses a narrow beam of intense light as a knife to remove a surface tumor. Cryosurgery uses an instrument to freeze and destroy abnormal tissue. Another operation is circumcision, which removes part or all of the foreskin. Mohs surgery removes the tumor in thin layers that are checked under a microscope, so as little normal tissue as possible is removed. If the tumor is small or near the tip, surgery may remove only the cancerous part of the penis. For more severe tumors, total removal of the penis is often needed. In that case, a new opening is made in the groin area so urine can leave the body. Lymph nodes in the groin may be taken out during surgery.
Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays or other radiation to kill cancer cells or keep them from growing. Chemotherapy, which uses drugs to stop cancer cells from growing, may be used if the cancer is too large to remove by surgery or has spread. Medicine placed directly on the skin may be used for stage 0, the earliest stage. Some patients get chemotherapy or radiation after surgery to kill any cancer cells that are left. Treatment may cause side effects, so ask your care team what to expect. The outcome can be good with early diagnosis and treatment. Urination and sexual function can often be maintained.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor if you find any kind of new growth or other abnormality on your penis, even if it is not painful. A change that does not get better after several weeks, or gets worse, should be checked by a doctor. Getting checked soon matters because untreated penile cancer can spread to other parts of the body early in the disease. Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have bleeding that will not stop or you faint.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Such a doctor can examine a new sore or lump and refer you to a urologist. They can also help with follow-up visits and questions before, during, and after cancer treatment.
Common questions
Is penile cancer common?
No, penile cancer is rare. It usually affects middle age and older men.
Can penile cancer be prevented?
Some steps may lower the risk. Circumcision may decrease the risk of penile cancer. HPV vaccination for children and young adults can also lower the risk of cancer caused by HPV infection in adulthood. Men who are not circumcised should learn early to clean beneath the foreskin. Safer sexual practices, such as using condoms, may also lower the risk.
Do lumps in the groin mean the cancer has spread?
Not always. More often, lymph nodes swell in response to an infection. Still, if you feel a lump and are not sure what it is, see a health care provider so the cause can be found.
Sources
- MedlinePlus - Penile cancer
- American Cancer Society - Signs and Symptoms of Penile Cancer
- National Cancer Institute - Penile Cancer Treatment
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
