Main symptoms of penile cancer
Most penile cancers affect the skin covering the penis (foreskin), or the head or tip (glans) of the penis.
The most common symptoms are:
- a growth, lump or sore that does not heal within 4 weeks
- a rash
- bleeding from your penis or under your foreskin
- a smelly discharge
- difficulty pulling back your foreskin (phimosis)
- a change in the colour of the skin of your penis or foreskin
Other symptoms of penile cancer may include:
- a lump in your groin
- feeling tired
- tummy pain
- losing weight without trying
Non-urgent advice: See a GP if you have:
- any changes to how your penis looks
- discharge or bleeding from your penis
- any of the other symptoms of penile cancer
- symptoms that are not going away
Try not to be embarrassed. The doctor or nurse will be used to talking about these symptoms.
Important
Some of these symptoms are very common and can be caused by other conditions.
Having the symptoms does not definitely mean you have penile cancer, but it's important to get them checked by a GP.
If your symptoms are caused by cancer, finding it early may mean it's easier to treat.
What happens at your GP appointment
The GP may check your penis and ask you to have a blood test.
They'll usually ask you:
- about your general health
- what your symptoms are
- when your symptoms started
- if you’ve used anything to treat your symptoms, and if it’s made it better or worse
Referral to a specialist
The GP may refer you for more tests or to see a specialist in hospital if they think you have symptoms that need to be investigated.
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