CaRi-heart technology
Revolutionary new technology to assess the risk of a serious heart condition or heart attack – many years before anything happens.
Penile cancer
Around 500 men are diagnosed with this rare form of cancer in the UK each year, most frequently those over the age of 50
About penile cancer
The exact cause of penile cancer is unknown. However, there have been several factors identified that increase your risk of developing the disease. These risk factors include smoking, having the human pampilloma virus (HPV), being uncircumcised and conditions that make it difficult to pull the foreskin back, such as phimosis.
Need to know
Initial symptoms can include:
- a change in the skin colour of the affected area
- a lump or sore on the penis
- a thickening of the skin
- a rash
As the condition progresses, symptoms may include:
- discharge
- bleeding
It is important for you to be vigilant about any changes because penile cancer can often be treated successfully if it is diagnosed early.
Your consultant will require you to have a biopsy. If necessary, you can then be referred for further tests including:
- CT scan
- a lymph node biopsy to investigate the results in more depth
Treatment for penile cancer is usually able to be performed through surgery to remove the unhealthy tissue. Surgical procedures have progressed vastly since they were first used and now more penile preserving procedures are offered, which leads to better results both functionally and cosmetically. Further surgery may have to be conducted if the cancer has spread to your lymph nodes. If this has happened, a lymphadenectomy is performed, which removes the lymph nodes from your groin.
Our Penile cancer locations
Leaders in Oncology Care
95-97 Harley Street W1G 6AF London
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
Private Care at Guy's
Great Maze Pond SE1 9RT London
Sarah Cannon Research Institute
93 Harley Street W1G 6AD London
The Christie Private Care
Wilmslow Road M20 4BX Manchester
The Harborne Hospital
Mindelsohn Way B15 2TQ Birmingham
The Lister Hospital
Chelsea Bridge Road SW1W 8RH London
The Princess Grace Hospital
42-52 Nottingham Place W1U 5NY London
The Wellington Hospital
8A Wellington Place St John's Wood NW8 9LE London
Patient stories
Hear from past patients about their experience
Alan's story
Despite years of experiencing heart problems that just wouldn’t go away, Alan was apprehensive about having a surgical procedure. But with the expertise of his consultant and the latest cardiac technology, he decided to go ahead.
Andrew's story
“I couldn’t move my legs at all, and my arms only partially. But now I can walk six miles. I wouldn’t have got that without the physio team at The Christie Private Care, I simply wouldn’t have.”
How a second opinion helped uncover a hidden cardiac problem
Former Olympic swimmer, Adrian, was used to prioritising his physical wellbeing and continued to exercise regularly, keeping him in good health into his 60s. But when he got out of the pool one day, he noticed that something wasn’t right.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.