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In this Article

• What is cancer of the penis?
• What are causes and risk factors for penis cancer?
• What are symptoms and signs of penis cancer?
• How is penile cancer diagnosed?
• What factors affect prognosis and treatment of penile cancer?
• How is staging of penile cancer determined?
• What is the treatment for penis cancer?
• What are treatment options by stage?
• Where can I get more information about penis cancer?
• Penis Cancer Glossary
• Penis Cancer Index
• Find a local Oncologist in your town

Treatment options by stage

Stage 0 (carcinoma in situ)

Treatment of stage 0 may be one of the following:

• Mohs microsurgery.



• Topical chemotherapy.



• Topical biologic therapy.



• Laser surgery.



• Cryosurgery.

Check for clinical trials from NCI's PDQ Cancer Clinical Trials Registry that are now accepting patients with stage 0 penile cancer.

Stage I penile cancer

If the cancer is only in the foreskin, wide local excision and circumcision may be the only treatment needed.

Treatment of stage I penile cancer may include the following:

• Surgery (partial or total penectomy with or without removal of lymph nodes in the groin).



• External or internal radiation therapy.



• Mohs microsurgery.



• A clinical trial of laser therapy.

This summary section refers to specific treatments under study in clinical trials, but it may not mention every new treatment being studied. Information about ongoing clinical trials is available from the NCI Web site.

Check for clinical trials from NCI's PDQ Cancer Clinical Trials Registry that are now accepting patients with stage I penile cancer.

Stage II penile cancer

Treatment of stage II penile cancer may include the following:

• Surgery (partial or total penectomy, with or without removal of lymph nodes in the groin).



• External or internal radiation therapy followed by surgery.



• A clinical trial of sentinel lymph node biopsy followed by surgery.



• A clinical trial of laser surgery.

This summary section refers to specific treatments under study in clinical trials, but it may not mention every new treatment being studied. Information about ongoing clinical trials is available from the NCI Web site.

Check for clinical trials from NCI's PDQ Cancer Clinical Trials Registry that are now accepting patients with stage II penile cancer.

Stage III penile cancer

Treatment of stage III penile cancer may include the following:

• Surgery (penectomy and removal of lymph nodes in the groin) with or without radiation therapy.



• Radiation therapy.



• A clinical trial of sentinel lymph node biopsy followed by surgery.



• A clinical trial of radiosensitizers.



• A clinical trial of chemotherapy before or after surgery.

Check for clinical trials from NCI's PDQ Cancer Clinical Trials Registry that are now accepting patients with stage III penile cancer.

Stage IV penile cancer

Treatment of stage IV penile cancer is usually palliative (to relieve symptoms and improve the quality of life). Treatment may include the following:

• Surgery (wide local excision and removal of lymph nodes in the groin).



• Radiation therapy.



• A clinical trial of chemotherapy before or after surgery.

Check for clinical trials from NCI's PDQ Cancer Clinical Trials Registry that are now accepting patients with stage IV penile cancer.

Treatment options for recurrent penile cancer

Treatment of recurrent penile cancer may include the following:

• Surgery (penectomy).



• Radiation therapy.



• A clinical trial of biologic therapy.



• A clinical trial of chemotherapy.

Check for clinical trials from NCI's PDQ Cancer Clinical Trials Registry that are now accepting patients with recurrent penile cancer.