Penile Cancer

Penile Cancer - A rare form of cancer that begins in the tissues of the penis. An external male reproductive organ, the penis carries semen and urine to the outside of the body. Most penile cancers are squamous cell carcinomas, which begin in the flat epithelial cells that line the penis. Other types of penile cancer may include adenocarcinoma, melanomas, basal cell penile cancer, and sarcomas.

Penile cancer occurs most often in men over 60 years of age. The disease has been linked to lack of circumcision (a procedure in which the covering of the tip of the penis, or the foreskin, is removed, usually shortly after birth). Poor hygiene and/or infection with the human papilloma virus (HPV) are other possible risk factors for penile cancer.

Previous: Pathology

Next: Penile Cancer Symptoms

Back to the Cancer Glossary