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Post treatment and further information

You will have regular check-ups, scans and x-rays for several years to be sure the cancer has not returned. If you notice any abnormal changes or new symptoms in between these check-ups, you must let your doctor know as soon as possible.

As mentioned previously, if caught early there is a high chance of survival after treatment. The need for practical and emotional support will, of course, be individual, and may depend on the treatment you receive and any side effects (such as your ability to have an erection and to pass urine normally). Your nurse or specialist will be able to answer any questions you may have, or point you in the right direction for support. 

Concerns about the future, about medical tests and treatments, about hospital stays and about sexuality are common. Talking with doctors, nurses or other members of the health care team may help ease fear and confusion. Patients should ask questions about their disease and its treatment, and they should take an active part in decisions about their medical care. Patients and family members often find it helpful to write down questions as they think of them, before the next visit to the doctor. Taking notes during talks with the doctor can be a useful aid to memory. Patients should ask the doctor to repeat or explain anything that is not clear.

The following are some questions you might want to ask your doctor:

• I would like my partner / friend / family member to be with me during this consultation. Is that OK?
• What tests are you going to do?
• Why - what are you looking for?
• After the tests will you know for sure whether I have cancer and if it has spread?
• Are they painful?
• How should I prepare?
• How long do the results take?
• Are there any alternatives to the procedure that you are about to do?
• What are the blood tests for?
• What stage is my penile cancer?
• How likely is it to be cured?
• Can it still be cured if it comes back after I am treated?
• Are there any treatment choices?
• Is it possible to keep working during treatment?
• How will you know if the treatment has worked?
• Am I likely to be able to father children after my treatment?
• Will the treatment affect my sex life?
• Should I use a sperm bank before my treatment starts?
• Are there any clinical trials for penile cancer treatment?
• Can I have reconstructive surgery?
• How will you know if the cancer comes back?
• For how long will I need to come back for tests after my treatment has finished?
• Who can I talk to about problems with sex and fertility?
• Does the hospital offer counselling?
• How should I talk about the disease with my family and children?
• My son / brother is worried he might get penile cancer. What should I tell him?