Penile Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment

Hi,

I would just like to get a little more information about the diagnosis process; if a biopsy is performed, will the results have to come back before treatment (especially surgery if deemed necessary) is discussed? Can an operation to remove the rash be performed before the biopsy results come back?

And, if surgery is deemed necessary, will this be one procedure (if the diagnosis is early stage cancer)? Are there ever circumstances when surgery is performed over a number of separate procedures?

 

Is there any evidence that penile cancer can be passed to a sexual partner, or passed on to a foetus during conception?

 

Many thanks

 

 

  • Hello Luna2021 and thank you for your post,

    I am sorry to hear about your situation and I can appreciate you have some questions.

    The biopsy result will need to be known before treatment is planned. It is very likely, if you are being treated in a UK NHS hospital, that once this and any other tests and investigation results are known that your case will discussed at a multidisciplinary team meeting. This is when all the specialists involved in this type of cancer will get together to discuss your case and look at all your results and plan your treatment.  

    I am not sure whether more surgery would be needed after the initial surgery, I don't think it is usually needed. However, more surgery would be needed if reconstruction of the penis is going to be done after the initial surgery has taken place. We have information about  penile cancer on our website, you can see it here and for surgery click here here.

    There is no evidence that any cancer including penile cancer can be passed onto a sexual partner or to an unborn child. 

    Hopefully you will learn more about your situation and the plan for treatment soon.

    Please get back to us if you need any more information or support.  You may find it helpful to talk things through with one of the nurses on our helpline.  The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

    Take care,

    Caroline