Penile Cancer

What is Penile Cancer? (Definition and Overview)

Penile cancer is a cancer that starts in the skin or deeper tissues of the penis. It is relatively uncommon but significant when it occurs, and most often affects men in their 50s, 60s, and older, though it can develop at a younger age.

In many cases, penile cancer begins as a small, subtle change on the surface of the penis: a patch, sore, growth, or persistent area of redness that may not be painful and is therefore easy to attribute to a minor skin condition or infection. This is why many men delay seeking a medical opinion.

Note: In some parts of India, this condition is also referred to informally as ‘cancer in men’s private parts’, ‘private part cancer’, or ‘penis cancer’. These all describe the same medical condition – penile cancer or carcinoma of the penis.

In simple terms, penile cancer is an abnormal, uncontrolled growth of cells in the tissues of the penis. Over 90 to 95 per cent of cases are squamous cell carcinomas, meaning they arise from the flat cells lining the surface of the penis. The cancer can begin as a superficial lesion limited to the skin surface (carcinoma in situ) or as a small warty or ulcer-like growth. If not treated, these abnormal cells can grow deeper and spread to lymph nodes or distant organs.

Penile Cancer Symptoms: Signs of Penile Cancer to Know

Being aware of penile cancer symptoms can make a meaningful difference in catching the disease at an early stage. Not every change means cancer, but persistent or progressive symptoms should be evaluated. Common symptoms and signs of penile cancer include:

• A sore, ulcer, or wound on the glans, foreskin, or shaft that does not heal within two to three weeks.
• A lump, growth, or thickened area of skin that may look warty, cauliflower-like, or flat.
• Red, velvety, or discoloured patches (reddish, whitish, or brown) that persist despite standard creams or treatment.
• Foul-smelling discharge under the foreskin, particularly in uncircumcised men.
• Inability to retract the foreskin (phimosis), especially if new or associated with lesions.
• Pain, tenderness, or swelling of the penis.
• Firm, painless swollen lumps in the groin (which may indicate spread to regional lymph nodes).

Early Signs of Penile Cancer (Early Symptoms)

Early penile cancer can be very subtle. Key early signs include: a small, persistent spot or patch on the glans or foreskin that does not respond to usual creams; mild itching, burning, or irritation; tiny warty or crusted lesions that recur or slowly increase in size; unusual odour or discharge under the foreskin; and difficulty retracting the foreskin.

These early penile cancer symptoms are often painless, which is why they are easy to dismiss or misattribute to a skin condition. Any persistent change that feels unusual for longer than two weeks is worth a medical evaluation.

Penile Cancer Causes and Risk Factors

Retain existing causes and risk factors content verbatim. Remove ‘Exploring the Causes of’ H2 title prefix. Remove separate ‘Key Risk Factors’ H2 – merge into this single H2. Ensure HPV types 16 and 18 are explicitly named. Remove all em dashes. Apply H2 heading: ‘Penile Cancer Causes and Risk Factors’. Apply H3 sub-headings for individual risk factors as appropriate.

Types of Penile Cancer

Retain existing types section verbatim. Correct ‘Squamous Cell Carcinoma’ as H3. Correct ‘Other Rare Types’ as H3. Remove any em dashes.

Stages of Penile Cancer: Stage 1 to Stage 4

Retain existing staging content verbatim. Add the stage-by-stage symptoms H3 from Section 3.1 above.

Penile Cancer Symptoms by Stage

Stage 0 (Carcinoma in Situ): Persistent discoloured patch, velvet-like red area, or flat white plaque on the penile skin. Usually painless. No lymph node involvement.

Stage 1 Penile Cancer: A visible, persistent sore, ulcer, or small raised growth on the glans or foreskin. Typically painless. No lymph node involvement.

Stage 2 Penile Cancer: Growth has spread into deeper penile tissues. The lesion may be larger or firmer. Some pain or discomfort may be present.

Stage 3 Penile Cancer: Regional lymph nodes in the groin are involved. The patient may notice firm, swollen, painless lumps in the groin.

Stage 4 (Advanced) Penile Cancer: Extensive spread to adjacent structures, multiple lymph nodes, or distant organs. Significant pain, swelling, bleeding, difficulty urinating, weight loss. 

Penile Cancer Diagnosis at Onco-Life Cancer Centre

Retain the existing diagnosis section verbatim. Correct ‘Onco Life’ to ‘Onco-Life’ throughout.

Penile Cancer Treatment: Surgery, Radiation and Medical Options

Retain existing treatment section verbatim. Every case at Onco-Life Cancer Centre is reviewed by the Virtual Tumour Board before treatment begins. Remove any em dashes.

Penile Cancer Treatment at Onco-Life Cancer Centre, Maharashtra

Retain existing Onco-Life description. Correct ‘Onco Life’ to ‘Onco-Life’ throughout. 

Onco-Life Cancer Centre is empanelled with MJPJAY, Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY), and CGHS. Cancer surgery, radiation therapy, and diagnostic services may be covered for eligible patients. Eligibility criteria apply. 

Disclaimer: The information on this page is for general health education only and does not constitute medical advice. Penile cancer diagnosis and treatment decisions are individual and depend on the specific type, stage, and clinical context. If you have noticed any persistent change in the penis or genital area, please consult a qualified urologist or oncologist without delay. Individual outcomes vary.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Sunil Patil, M.B.B.S., M.S. (General Surgery), Consultant Surgical Oncologist, Onco-Life Cancer Centre. Last reviewed: May 2026.