Overview
Malignant tumor of the penis, also known as penile cancer, is a rare type of cancer that develops in the tissues of the penis. It most commonly starts in the skin cells (squamous cells) on the surface of the penis, particularly on the foreskin or the head (glans). Over time, the cancer can grow deeper into the tissue and may spread to nearby lymph nodes or other parts of the body if not treated early. The most common early sign is a change in the skin of the penis — this may appear as a lump, sore, or unusual growth that does not heal. Other symptoms can include bleeding, discharge, changes in skin color, or thickening of the skin. Some men may also notice swollen lymph nodes in the groin area. Treatment depends on the stage and location of the cancer. Early-stage penile cancer can often be treated with surgery that preserves as much of the penis as possible, topical chemotherapy creams, or laser therapy. More advanced cases may require partial or total removal of the penis (penectomy), along with removal of affected lymph nodes. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy may also be used. Key risk factors include human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, lack of circumcision, poor hygiene, smoking, and certain skin conditions like phimosis. Early detection greatly improves outcomes, so any persistent changes to the skin of the penis should be evaluated by a doctor promptly.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
A lump or growth on the penisA sore or ulcer on the penis that does not healBleeding from the penis or under the foreskinFoul-smelling discharge under the foreskinChange in skin color on the penisThickening of the penile skinFlat, crusty growths on the penisRash on the penisSwollen lymph nodes in the groinPain in the penis (usually in later stages)Difficulty pulling back the foreskinReddish, velvety rash under the foreskin
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Adult
Begins in adulthood (age 18 or older)
FDA & Trial Timeline
10 eventsFudan University — PHASE2
Sun Yat-sen University — PHASE2
Institut für Klinische Krebsforschung IKF GmbH at Krankenhaus Nordwest — PHASE2
Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein — PHASE2
Jiyan Liu — PHASE1
Regina Elena Cancer Institute — PHASE3
The Netherlands Cancer Institute — PHASE2
Shanghai Bovax Biotechnology Co., Ltd. — PHASE3
Universitaire Ziekenhuizen KU Leuven
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Malignant tumor of penis.
15 clinical trialsare actively recruiting — trials can provide access to cutting-edge therapies.
View clinical trials →Rare Disease Specialist
Rare Disease Specialist
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Malignant tumor of penis.
Community
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Start the conversation →Latest news about Malignant tumor of penis
Disease timeline:
New recruiting trial: PEnile ReHABilitation After Nerve Sparing Robot-assisted Radical Prostatectomy for Prostate Cancer 2.0 (PEHAB-II)
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Malignant tumor of penis
New recruiting trial: FIH, Bispecific CD276xCD3 Antibody CC-3 in Patients With Colorectal Cancer
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Malignant tumor of penis
New recruiting trial: Low-Intensity Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy on Penile Rehabilitation After Robot-assisted Surgical Treatment of Genitourinary Cancers
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Malignant tumor of penis
New recruiting trial: A Novel Imaging Protocol in Use to Identify Lymph Nodes and Organs of Interest
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Malignant tumor of penis
New recruiting trial: Enfortumab Vedotin for the Treatment of Patients With Metastatic or Unresectable Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Penis
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Malignant tumor of penis
New recruiting trial: TIP Regimen Combined With Triplizumab Neoadjuvant Therapy for Locally Advanced Penile Cancer
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Malignant tumor of penis
New recruiting trial: The Role of Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Preoperative Assessment of Primary Penile Carcinoma
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Malignant tumor of penis
New recruiting trial: DEPECA-1 - A Phase II Study to Evaluate a First-line Systemic Therapy With Enfortumab Vedotin Plus Avelumab for Advanced and Metastatic Penile Carcinoma
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Malignant tumor of penis
New recruiting trial: International Penile Advanced Cancer Trial (International Rare Cancers Initiative Study)
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Malignant tumor of penis
New recruiting trial: Carboplatin/Paclitaxel + Pembrolizumab for Locoregionally Advanced Penile Cancer
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Malignant tumor of penis
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.What stage is my cancer, and has it spread beyond the penis?,What treatment options are available that could preserve as much of my penis as possible?,What are the side effects of the recommended treatment?,How will treatment affect my urinary and sexual function?,Are there any clinical trials I should consider?,How often will I need follow-up visits after treatment, and what will they involve?,Should I see a counselor or psychologist to help cope with the emotional impact of this diagnosis?
Common questions about Malignant tumor of penis
What is Malignant tumor of penis?
Malignant tumor of the penis, also known as penile cancer, is a rare type of cancer that develops in the tissues of the penis. It most commonly starts in the skin cells (squamous cells) on the surface of the penis, particularly on the foreskin or the head (glans). Over time, the cancer can grow deeper into the tissue and may spread to nearby lymph nodes or other parts of the body if not treated early. The most common early sign is a change in the skin of the penis — this may appear as a lump, sore, or unusual growth that does not heal. Other symptoms can include bleeding, discharge, changes i
How is Malignant tumor of penis inherited?
Malignant tumor of penis follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Malignant tumor of penis typically begin?
Typical onset of Malignant tumor of penis is adult. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
Are there clinical trials for Malignant tumor of penis?
Yes — 15 recruiting clinical trials are currently listed for Malignant tumor of penis on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
Which specialists treat Malignant tumor of penis?
25 specialists and care centers treating Malignant tumor of penis are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.