This section contains specific information for patients, families and carers about penile cancer (cancer of the penis). All information in
this section is reviewed regularly by members of the SCAN Urology Group. Items are normally reviewed annually.
Symptoms
Cancer of the penis may show a number of symptoms. 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.
Treatment
There are a number of possible treatments for cancer of the penis, including surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. In some cases these
treatments may be used in combination for greater effect.
Your health care team will discuss the options with you and explain why one particular treatment or combination of treatments is being recommended.
The BMJ Best Health website offers advice about how to make the best decisions about treatment.
You might find it helpful to look at the virtual tours on our chemotherapy pages which have photographs with a brief description of the treatment facilities at the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh.
The Edinburgh Cancer Centre has produced a guide to chemotherapy for patients and carers (PDF, 1.8MB
Clinical trials
Clinical trials are research studies of new therapies. Before a new therapy can be accepted for routine use, its effectiveness and safety
must be proven in clinical trials. Speak with a member of your health care team to see what trials would be suitable for you to consider.
You can find more information about clinical trials by clicking on the links below:
Clinical trials (Macmillan Cancer support website)
The Cancer Clinical Trials Unit, Scotland (CaCTUS) is a partnership between the Cancer Research UK Trials Unit in Glasgow and the NHS ISD Cancer Clinical Trials Team in Edinburgh.
The South East Scotland Cancer Research Network (SESCRN) is made up of clinical staff - doctors, nurses and other health care professionals - who will tell patients about clinical trials, offer support, arrange treatments and tests and in some cases deliver treatments. Behind the scenes they are supported by data managers who
work to report the results of the treatments.
Living with penile cancer
Many patients, families, and their carers find that good support is essential. If you would like details about where you can find additional information about your cancer and its treatment, and advice on practical issues, such as benefits and entitlements look at our
support section. You can find local information about support groups, centres, services and carers support, on our
Borders,
Dumfries and Galloway,
Fife and
Lothian pages.
If
you have cancer, a healthy lifestyle can improve your physical and
emotional well-being and help you cope with treatment and side effects. See the Healthy Living section for more information.