Orchid Cancer Appeal

Research from male cancer charity Orchid reveals UK men know more about breast and other women's cancers than those which affect only men

1 in 3 men say they're most knowledgeable about breast cancer compared to 1 in 10 men who are familiar with the signs and symptoms of testicular cancer

1 in 10 women say they don't check their breasts compared to 1 in 4 men who don't check their testes

1 in 4 Brits have a family member or close friend with testicular or prostate cancer

Much progress has been made in the last few years on using less invasive treatment methods.

Treatments used for cancer of the penis include surgery, radiotherapy and occasionally chemotherapy.

Simple excision – small, surface cancers (stage 1) that have not spread are treated by removing only the affected area by conventional surgery, laser or cryotherapy (freezes and kills the cancer). If the cancer is confined to the foreskin, circumcision alone may be all that is needed. These operations are considered simple procedures and may be possible to perform under local anaesthetic as an outpatient.
Wide local excision – is necessary where the cancer has spread to deeper tissue (stage 2 and above). This means removing the cancer along with some healthy tissue around it, reducing the risk of the cancer returning. The operation is done under general anaesthetic and will require a short stay in hospital.
Penectomy (surgical removal of part or all of the penis). It is the most effective procedure to treat cancer of the penis that has penetrated deep inside the penis (stage 2 and above). Partial penectomy removes only the end of the penis. If the cancerous tissue is near the base of the penis then total amputation may be the only option. This is only used in extreme cases and in this case the surgeon will create a new opening for the urethra so urination can still be controlled. Full reconstructive surgery may be an option.
Lymphadenectomy (surgical removal of lymph nodes).

External – High energy x-rays are directed from a machine at the area of the cancer to kill it. It is normally administered as a series of short daily treatments that could last up to six weeks depending on the size and spread of the tumour.
Brachytherapy – involves planting dozens of tiny radioactive seeds delivering a high dose of radiation to tissues in the immediate area of the tumour, therefore minimising the damage to healthy tissues. They stop being radioactive after several weeks, then remain permanently and harmlessly in place. This procedure can be done under local anaesthetic.

Is the use of anti-cancer (cytoxic) drugs circulating in the blood to destroy cancer cells, but also damaging some normal cells.
It is rarely used for cancer of the penis, in the early stages, but it is the main way of treating it when it has spread throughout the body.