Penile Cancer Treatment
Penile cancer is a type of cancer that forms in the tissues of the penis. Treatment options vary based on the cancer stage and type, including surgery, radiation, and emerging therapies aimed at preserving function and quality of life.
Current updated treatments
Current updated treatments:
- Organ-Preserving Techniques: For early-stage tumors, treatments such as laser therapy, topical agents, and limited surgical excisions are employed to maintain penile function and appearance.
- Lymph Node Management: The status of inguinal lymph nodes is a critical prognostic factor. Patients with regional nodal disease may benefit from a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and possibly radiation therapy to improve outcomes.
- Advanced Disease Treatments: Systemic therapies, including platinum-based chemotherapy, are standard for advanced or metastatic penile cancer, though they often yield limited responses. Emerging treatments, such as immunotherapies targeting HPV-related oncoproteins and adoptive T-cell therapies, are under investigation to enhance patient outcomes.
NIH https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9511530/
Ongoing treatments:
Surgery is the main treatment for all stages of penile cancer. Common procedures include:
- Mohs surgery: Cancer is removed in thin layers, checking each under a microscope until no cancer cells remain. This helps preserve as much healthy tissue as possible.
- Cryosurgery: Uses extreme cold to freeze and destroy cancerous tissue.
- Circumcision: Removes part or all of the foreskin if cancer is present there.
- Wide local excision: Removes the tumor along with a small margin of healthy tissue.
- Penectomy: Removes part (partial) or all (total) of the penis in advanced cases.