penile cancer

Meaning of penile cancer: Penile cancer is a rare malignancy usually beginning in the skin of the penis, often diagnosed as a visible lesion or change on the surface.

Definition of penile cancer

Penile cancer is a rare cancer that develops in the tissue of the penis, an external male reproductive organ. Most cases begin in the flat cells covering the surface of the penis or foreskin, a type known as squamous cell carcinoma, though other, less common cell types can also give rise to the disease.

Penile cancer often first appears as a change in the skin of the penis, such as a lump, sore, thickened patch, or area of discoloration, sometimes accompanied by discharge or bleeding. Chronic irritation and certain strains of human papillomavirus are recognized risk factors, and the disease occurs less often in populations with a higher rate of childhood circumcision.

Evaluation typically involves direct examination and biopsy of the affected tissue, and treatment approaches range from tissue sparing procedures for smaller, early lesions to more extensive surgery for larger or more advanced tumors, often combined with evaluation of nearby lymph nodes.