Penile Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment

Evaluation and diagnostic testing for penile cancer

Our multidisciplinary team of urologic specialists is made up of urologic surgeons, medical oncologists, pathologists and radiation oncologist to offer an approach to treatment planning that has a high cure rate. The process begins with a tissue biopsy which can sometimes be performed in an outpatient setting. Additional tests may include an abdominal CT scan, chest x-ray and blood work.

Treatment

Medical management

When the cancer is small and non-complex, use of a prescription cream may be effective at treating the site.

Surgery

If the cancer has invaded deeper tissue or involves a larger region of the penis, surgery is the best option with our goal of sparing the adjacent penile tissue and urethra whenever possible. In the past, removal of the entire penis, or penectomy, was the standard of care. Due to emerging technologies, we offer unique surgical techniques not available at most institutions. This allows us to effectively treat penile cancer while avoiding the removal of adjacent uninvolved tissue whenever possible. Other procedures may include:

• Robotic surgery
  used when inguinal lymph nodes must be removed to assess the spread of cancer or treat cancer that has already spread to these lymph nodes.
• Reconstructive surgery
  may involve both urologic and plastic surgeons for penile reconstruction.

Other treatment options include:

• Chemotherapy
  used in more advanced cases after making the diagnosis
• Radiation therapy
  may be used in certain cases to treat the penile tumor or lymph nodes