Penile cancer

You may have been referred to the University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (UHB) for a suspicious lump or lesion on your penis. The service provides treatment for patients suspected penile cancer, or specialist surgery to the penis that cannot be undertaken at your local hospital.

Penile cancer is an extremely rare but aggressive disease affecting approximately 700 males per year. It can affect any part of the penis but is mostly found in the foreskin or the glans (the head) of the penis. It may present as a flat ulcerated lump or lesion, red patch, or may bleed or discharge. You may also experience some difficulties passing urine.

If found early, treatment for your primary tumour will include penile sparing surgery, although, treatment options will depend on tumour size, histology, staging and grading, localisation and patient preference. Other alternatives to surgery may include chemo and/or radiotherapy.

Our services

Topical chemotherapy (5-Fluorouracil, 5FU: Imiquimod 5%) for treatment of Penile intraepithelial neoplasm (PeIN) a pre-cancerous lesion.

Circumcision

Wide local excision

Surgical resection for penile cancers

Fine Nneedle aspiration (cells taken from your inguinal lymph nodes to see if any cancer has spread)

Dynamic sentinel lymph node biopsy staging

Iliac lymph node dissection (removal of lymph nodes)

Radical inguinal lymph node dissection (removal of lymph nodes)

Pelvic lymph node dissection (removal of lymph nodes)

Chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy

Referrals to Community Specialist Palliative care

Referrals to Community Lymphoedema services

Onward referrals for counselling and/or psychosexual therapy

Macmillan support

Specialist nurse led clinics.

Wound and drain clinics and catheter removal

Surveillance appointments

Get in touch

Our multidisciplinary team (MDT) includes, Urology Consultant Surgeons who Specialise in Penile Cancer, Radiologists, Histopathologists, Clinical Oncologists, Clinical Nurse Specialists and Specialist Urology Secretaries.