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• How is penile cancer diagnosed

How is penile cancer diagnosed

WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR

It is important - as with any cancer - to get to know what feels normal, and to watch out for any changes that don't go away:

• A painless lump or ulcer on the penis that doesn't heal
• Bleeding
• A red rash under the foreskin
• Flat growths of bluish brown colour
• Difficulty in drawing back the foreskin (phimosis)
• Unusual smelling discharge
• Unexplained change in colour of the skin
• Swollen lymph nodes in your groin area

Advanced cancer of the penis could lead to fatigue, stomach pains, aching bones and weight loss. Any of the above symptoms could be the cause of a number of other conditions, requiring their own treatment plan, and still need to be checked out by your GP.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE WORRIED

Like most cancers, cancer of the penis is easiest to treat if it is diagnosed early, so if you have any worries, it is best to go to your doctor straight away.

You should not let your natural embarrassment get in the way - this visit could save your life!

Your doctor will inspect the penis, then as with all cancers, if he is worried he will refer you to a specialist who will take a sample (biopsy) of the abnormal area, usually under anaesthetic. The sample will be examined under a microscope to identify whether or not it is cancerous. The results are normally available within one to two days. If the biopsy confirms that it is cancer, further tests may be carried out to determine whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. These tests could include the removal of a gland or glands from the groin (called a lymph node biopsy), a CT scan (like a three-dimensional X-ray of the whole body), an MRI scan (similar to a CT scan), Ultrasound or a chest x-ray.

The extent to which the cancer has spread is divided into a number of stages, which are important to determine the treatment right for you and your prognosis: