Important Service Update

Most cancers of the penis affect the skin covering the penis (foreskin), or the head or tip (glans) of the penis.

The most common symptoms are:

• a growth or sore that does not heal within 4 weeks
• a rash
• bleeding from the penis or under the foreskin
• a smelly discharge
• thickening of the skin of the penis or foreskin that makes it difficult to pull back the foreskin (phimosis)
• a change in the colour of the skin of your penis or foreskin

Other symptoms of penile cancer include:

• a lump in the groin
• feeling tired
• stomach pain
• losing weight without trying

See a GP if you have:

Important

Having these symptoms does not definitely mean you have penile cancer. But it's important to get them checked by a GP.

This is because if they're caused by cancer, finding it early can make it more treatable.

The GP may examine your penis and ask you to have a blood test.

They'll ask you:

• what your symptoms are
• when they started
• if you’ve used anything to treat them, and if it’s made it better or worse

They may refer you to see a specialist in hospital for more tests.

This may be an urgent referral, usually within 2 weeks, if you have certain symptoms. This does not definitely mean you have cancer.

Find out more

Cancer Research UK: referral to a specialist for symptoms that could be caused by penile cancer