What Is Penile Cancer?
Penile cancer: a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the penis.
Penile cancer is a rare cancer that forms in the penis, the male sex organ that passes sperm and urine from the body. The most common type of penile cancer is squamous cell carcinoma (cancer that begins in flat cells in the top layer of the skin). It usually forms on or under the foreskin (the loose skin covering the head of the penis). Signs of penile cancer include sores or other skin changes, discharge, and bleeding. Human papillomavirus (HPV) causes about one-third of penile cancer cases. Circumcision (removal of the foreskin) may help prevent HPV and decrease the risk of penile cancer. When found early, penile cancer can usually be cured.
Learn about penile cancer, and find information on how our team of experts support and care for adults with penile cancer before, during, and after treatment.
The following information is from the National Cancer Institute (NCI).