Penile cancer
What causes penile cancer?
The cause of penile cancer isn't known, but certain risk factors can increase your chances of getting it.
Men who carry the human papilloma virus (HPV) have an increased risk of developing penile cancer, which is the virus that causes genital warts .
Studies have foundthat almost 5 out of 10 men (47%) with penile cancer also have an HPV infection.
Age is also a risk factor for cancer of the penis. The condition rarely affects men under 40 years of age, and most commonly occurs in men aged over 60.
Smoking is the mostsignificant lifestyle factor associated with penile cancer. Chemicals found in cigarettes can damage cells in the penis, which increases yourrisk of getting the condition.
Conditions that affect the penis, such as Tight foreskin (phimosis) , whichmakes the foreskindifficult to retract, increase your chances of developing infections such as balanitis .
Repeated infections are linked to a higher risk of developing some types of penile cancer, because they can weaken your immune system.
The Cancer Research UK website has more information about the risks and causes of penile cancer .
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018
Introduction
Penile cancer is a rare type of cancer that occurs on the skin of the penis or within the penis. In the UK, around 550 men are diagnosed with cancer of the penis each year.
Signs and symptoms
Youshould be aware of any abnormalities or signs of penile cancer, including: a growth or sore on the penis that doesn't heal within four weeks bleeding from the penis or from under the foreskin a
Types of penile cancer
The penis is made up of many different types of tissue. The type ofpenile cancer you have will depend on the typeof cell the cancer developed from. The most common types of penile cancer include:
What causes penile cancer?
The cause of penile cancer isn't known, but certain risk factors can increase your chances of getting it. Men who carry the human papilloma virus (HPV) have an increased risk of developing penile can
Diagnosing penile cancer
Your GP will ask you about any symptoms you have and when they occur. They'll also examine your penis for signs of penile cancer. In 2015, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence ( NICE
Treating penile cancer
Treatment for penile cancer will depend on the size of the affected area and the rate at which the cancer hasspread. For example, in most cases of carcinoma in situ (CIS), where only the skin cells o
Prevention
It isn't always possible to prevent penile cancer, but you can reduce your chances of getting it. Oneof the mainways you can reduceyour chances of developing penile cancer is to give up smoking (if
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