My Reports
RGCIRC, Niti Bagh
Penile Cancer Treatment in Delhi, India
Penile cancer is rare, but its diagnosis can raise difficult questions about treatment, urination, sexual function and how the body may change after treatment. Getting care from a team experienced in treating cancers of the urinary and reproductive system is therefore important, particularly when treatment decisions may affect both cancer control and quality of life.
At Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Centre (RGCIRC), Delhi, penile cancer is managed by a specialised Uro-Oncology team. Treatment is planned according to the tumour’s location, stage and grade, whether the lymph nodes in the groin are involved, and the patient’s overall health. Depending on the diagnosis, treatment may include local or penile-preserving procedures, partial or total penectomy, lymph-node surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy or other systemic treatments. Wherever medically appropriate, the team aims to treat the cancer effectively while preserving penile tissue, urinary function and quality of life as far as possible.
Understanding Penile Cancer and Its Types
Penile cancer develops when abnormal cells begin growing in the tissues of the penis. It most often starts in the skin and may develop on the glans (head of the penis), foreskin or, less commonly, the shaft. Knowing exactly where the tumour begins and what type of cells are involved helps doctors plan treatment.
What are the Main Types of Penile Cancer?
Most penile cancers are squamous cell carcinomas (SCC). These cancers begin in the flat cells that form the surface of the skin.
Before invasive squamous cell cancer develops, some patients may have penile intraepithelial neoplasia (PeIN), where abnormal cells remain confined to the surface layer of the skin. PeIN may be associated with HPV in some cases and requires appropriate evaluation and treatment because it may progress to invasive cancer.
Other types, including melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma and sarcoma, occur much less often.
Identifying the exact type and location is important because these factors, along with how deeply the tumour has grown, influence the stage and the treatment options available.
Early Signs and Symptoms of Penile Cancer
Penile cancer often begins with a visible change on the skin of the penis. Some changes may be painless at first and can resemble an infection, irritation or another non-cancerous condition. This is why a persistent or unusual change should not be ignored.
Possible signs and symptoms include:
- A sore or ulcer on the penis that does not heal
- A lump or raised growth
- Redness or persistent irritation
- A change in skin colour or thickness
- Bleeding from the affected area
- Unusual or foul-smelling discharge, particularly from under the foreskin
- Swelling at the end of the penis
- Difficulty pulling back the foreskin
- Pain or tenderness in some cases
- A lump or swelling in the groin if nearby lymph nodes are enlarged
NCI lists sores, discharge, bleeding, redness, irritation and a lump among the recognised signs of penile cancer. Penile tumours may also remain partly hidden under the foreskin when phimosis is present, which makes a careful examination important.
When Should a Change on the Penis Be Checked?
Many penile skin changes are caused by infections, inflammation or other non-cancerous conditions. Still, a sore, lump, rash, discharge or other change that does not settle, continues to grow or repeatedly bleeds should be examined by a doctor.
Seeking medical advice early helps identify the cause and, if cancer is present, may allow more treatment options that preserve penile tissue and function.
Who is at Higher Risk of Penile Cancer?
Penile cancer is uncommon, and many people who develop it do not have one clear risk factor. Still, certain conditions, infections and lifestyle factors are linked to a higher likelihood of developing the disease.
People may be at higher risk if they have:
- Persistent high-risk HPV infection: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is linked to a proportion of penile cancers, particularly certain squamous cell carcinomas. Not every penile cancer is HPV-related.
- Phimosis: This is a condition in which the foreskin cannot be pulled back fully over the head of the penis. Phimosis is associated with a higher risk of penile cancer, particularly when it occurs along with chronic inflammation.
- Long-standing inflammation or certain penile skin conditions: Chronic inflammation and conditions such as lichen sclerosus are recognised risk factors.
- Tobacco use: Smoking is associated with an increased risk of penile cancer.
- A weakened immune system: People with reduced immunity may have a higher risk, partly because persistent HPV infection is more likely.
- Previous PUVA treatment: Long-term ultraviolet A phototherapy combined with psoralen, previously used for conditions such as psoriasis, has been associated with penile cancer risk.
- Increasing age: Penile cancer is more common in older men, although it may occur at a younger age.
Having one or more of these factors does not mean that penile cancer will develop. Similarly, the disease may occur in someone without an obvious risk factor. Recognising persistent changes on the penis and seeking timely evaluation remains important regardless of individual risk.
How is Penile Cancer Diagnosed at RGCIRC?
A persistent sore, growth or skin change on the penis does not always mean cancer. The first step is a careful examination to understand what the change may be and whether further testing is required.
Clinical Examination
A uro-oncologist examines the penis to assess the size, location and appearance of the abnormal area. The groin is also checked for enlarged lymph nodes, since penile cancer may spread to these nodes. Current penile cancer guidelines recommend physical examination of both groins as part of the initial assessment.
Biopsy to Confirm Penile Cancer
A biopsy is required to confirm whether cancer is present. During this test, a small sample of tissue is removed and examined by a pathologist under a microscope. Depending on the size and location of the lesion, doctors may remove part of it or the entire small lesion for examination.
RGCIRC’s Uro-Oncology department specifically provides punch biopsy from penile growths as part of its diagnostic services.
The biopsy also helps identify the cancer type, grade and other features that influence further evaluation and treatment planning.
Imaging and Lymph-Node Assessment
Imaging is not the same for every patient. Depending on the tumour and examination findings, doctors may recommend MRI, CT or PET imaging to assess the extent of the disease or lymph-node involvement. RGCIRC lists CT, MRI and PET scans among the imaging options used within its Uro-Oncology services.
If the groin lymph nodes do not feel enlarged but the tumour carries a higher risk of spread, further nodal assessment may still be advised. In selected patients, this may include dynamic sentinel lymph-node biopsy, which RGCIRC also offers for penile cancer.
Once the biopsy and staging investigations are complete, our team determines how far the cancer has spread and plans treatment accordingly.
Understanding Penile Cancer Stages
After penile cancer is confirmed, doctors determine how far it has grown or spread. This process is called staging. The stage considers how deeply the tumour has grown into the tissues of the penis, whether lymph nodes are involved and whether cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
In simple terms, penile cancer stages include:
- Stage 0: Abnormal or cancerous cells remain limited to the surface layers and have not grown into deeper tissues.
- Stage I: Cancer has grown beneath the surface of the penis but has not spread to lymph nodes or distant organs.
- Stage II: Cancer has grown more deeply into tissues such as the corpus spongiosum or corpus cavernosum, but there is no regional lymph-node or distant spread.
- Stage III: Cancer has spread to lymph nodes in the groin. The extent and number of lymph nodes involved help determine the exact stage.
- Stage IV: Cancer has reached nearby structures beyond the penis, more advanced regional lymph nodes such as pelvic nodes, or distant parts of the body.
Lymph-node assessment is particularly important in penile cancer because the disease usually spreads first to the inguinal lymph nodes in the groin, followed by pelvic lymph nodes before distant spread occurs.
The stage does not work alone in deciding treatment. Doctors also consider the tumour’s grade, exact location, depth of growth and other pathological findings. These details help determine whether penile-preserving treatment is possible and whether treatment of the groin lymph nodes or additional therapy is required.
Penile Cancer Treatment Options at RGCIRC
Penile cancer treatment is planned according to the tumour’s location, size and depth, its stage and grade, and whether lymph nodes in the groin are involved. Doctors also consider overall health, previous treatment and whether penile tissue and function can be preserved safely. Since treatment may affect urination, sexual function and body image, these factors and the patient’s preferences also form part of treatment planning.
Treatment for Very Early or Superficial Penile Cancer
When abnormal or cancerous cells remain limited to the surface, treatment may be less extensive. Depending on the location and extent of the disease, options may include:
- Topical medicines such as fluorouracil or imiquimod for selected non-invasive disease
- Circumcision when the abnormal area is limited to the foreskin
- Local excision or other tissue-preserving procedures in suitable cases
The aim is to treat the abnormal tissue while preserving as much healthy penile tissue as possible.
Penile-Preserving Surgery
For selected localised tumours, surgery may remove the cancer while preserving most of the penis. The exact procedure depends on the tumour’s size, depth and position.
Penile-preserving treatment is considered whenever it offers adequate cancer control. Current European guidelines recommend organ-preserving approaches for suitable localised disease because they may help maintain urinary and sexual function.
Partial and Total Penectomy
When the tumour is larger or has grown more deeply, removal of part or all of the penis may be necessary to achieve adequate cancer clearance.
- Partial penectomy removes the tumour along with part of the penis while retaining as much healthy tissue as safely possible.
- Total penectomy removes the penis when the cancer is too extensive for a tissue-preserving operation.
RGCIRC’s Uro-Oncology team has experience with both partial and total penectomy for penile cancer.
These procedures understandably raise concerns about urination, sexual function and body image. The surgical team discusses the expected changes, urinary reconstruction where required and recovery before treatment.
Managing Groin Lymph Nodes
Penile cancer commonly spreads first to the inguinal lymph nodes in the groin, so assessing these nodes forms an important part of treatment planning.
Patients without visibly enlarged nodes may still require further assessment when the primary tumour carries a higher risk of microscopic spread. Depending on the clinical situation, this may involve sentinel lymph-node assessment or inguinal lymph-node dissection.
When cancer is confirmed in groin lymph nodes, surgery may be recommended to remove the affected nodes. Current guidelines continue to support open inguinal lymph-node dissection as a standard approach for clinically node-positive disease.
RGCIRC’s Uro-Oncology team also has experience with robot-assisted video-endoscopic inguinal lymph-node dissection (RA-VEIL). Suitability for an open or minimally invasive approach depends on the extent of lymph-node disease and current guideline-based indications.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy may be considered for selected penile cancers when organ preservation is possible or surgery is not the preferred option. It may also have a role in treating lymph-node disease or relieving symptoms in advanced cancer.
Both external-beam radiation and brachytherapy may be used in selected situations. The choice depends on tumour size, location, stage and the treatment goal.
Chemotherapy
Systemic chemotherapy may be recommended when penile cancer has spread to lymph nodes or other parts of the body.
For some patients with bulky or extensive groin or pelvic lymph-node disease, chemotherapy may be given before surgery to shrink the cancer and improve the possibility of removing it. Current EAU guidance supports neoadjuvant cisplatin- and taxane-based chemotherapy for selected patients with extensive nodal disease who are fit enough to receive it.
Immunotherapy and Treatment for Advanced Penile Cancer
Treatment becomes more individualised when penile cancer has spread or returns after earlier treatment. Options may include systemic chemotherapy, radiation therapy for symptom control, further surgery in selected cases or participation in a clinical trial.
Immunotherapy is being studied in advanced penile cancer and may be considered for selected patients depending on tumour characteristics, previous treatments and available evidence. It is not a standard treatment for every patient with penile cancer.
Clinical Trials at RGCIRC
RGCIRC has a dedicated clinical research programme that evaluates newer cancer medicines and treatment approaches. Patients with penile cancer may be considered for a suitable clinical trial when one is available and matches the diagnosis, disease stage, previous treatment and overall health.
Participation is voluntary. Before enrolment, the treating and research teams explain the purpose of the trial, the proposed treatment, possible benefits and risks, and the standard treatment options available.
Recovery, Sexual Health and Follow-Up After Penile Cancer Treatment
Recovery after penile cancer treatment depends on the type and extent of treatment received. Along with physical healing, patients may have questions about urination, sexual function, body image and the possibility of cancer returning. These concerns form an important part of follow-up care and should be discussed openly with the treatment team. Current EAU-ASCO guidelines recommend addressing physical, psychological and sexual well-being throughout the penile cancer care pathway.
Urination After Treatment
The effect on urination depends largely on the surgery performed. After penile-preserving surgery or partial penectomy, some patients may notice changes in the direction or spraying of urine and may find it more comfortable to sit while passing urine. After total penectomy, the urinary opening is usually repositioned to the perineum, the area between the scrotum and anus, so the patient urinates while sitting.
Sexual Function and Emotional Well-Being
Penile cancer treatment may affect erections, sensation, sexual activity, appearance and confidence. The extent of these changes differs according to treatment. Penile-preserving procedures generally retain more sexual function than more extensive surgery, although sensation and orgasm may still change.
Patients may also experience concerns about body image, intimacy or relationships. Counselling and psychosexual support may help patients and their partners adjust to these changes.
Recovery After Groin Lymph-Node Surgery
Inguinal lymph-node surgery may cause swelling in the groin, genital area or legs due to lymphoedema, which occurs when lymph fluid does not drain normally. Patients are monitored for swelling and may receive guidance on skin care, exercise, compression and specialist lymphoedema management when required.
Follow-Up After Penile Cancer Treatment
Regular follow-up helps doctors monitor recovery and detect local or lymph-node recurrence at an earlier stage. Visits may include examination of the penis and groin lymph nodes, with ultrasound, CT or PET-CT used in selected patients according to their previous treatment and risk of recurrence.
Follow-up is usually closer during the first few years after treatment because most local and regional recurrences occur during this period. Patients are also encouraged to report any new growth, ulcer, skin change or groin swelling rather than waiting for the next scheduled appointment.
Why Choose RGCIRC for Penile Cancer Treatment in Delhi?
At RGCIRC, we understand that penile cancer treatment involves concerns beyond removing the cancer. Decisions may also affect urination, sexual function, body image and overall quality of life. Our dedicated Uro-Oncology team plans treatment with these concerns in mind, while focusing on effective cancer control and preserving function wherever medically possible.
Here’s why patients and families trust RGCIRC for penile cancer treatment in Delhi:
Dedicated Uro-Oncology Expertise
Our dedicated Uro-Oncology team manages cancers of the urinary and male reproductive systems, including penile cancer. The team has experience in procedures such as partial and total penectomy, open inguinal lymph-node dissection and robot-assisted video-endoscopic inguinal lymph-node dissection (RA-VEIL), with the surgical approach selected according to the extent of the disease and individual treatment needs.
Multidisciplinary Treatment Planning
Our Uro-Oncology team works closely with specialists in medical oncology, radiation oncology radiology and pathology to plan penile cancer treatment. This multidisciplinary approach helps us assess the tumour, lymph-node involvement, overall health and treatment goals before recommending the next steps. Where medically safe, we also consider how treatment may preserve penile tissue and function while maintaining effective cancer control.
Experience in Groin Lymph-Node Surgery
Groin lymph-node management is an important part of penile cancer care because the inguinal lymph nodes are often the first area where the disease may spread. At RGCIRC, our Uro-Oncology team performs open inguinal lymph-node dissection as well as robot-assisted video-endoscopic inguinal lymph-node dissection (RA-VEIL) for appropriately selected patients.
Our expertise in this area was also recognised with Special Recognition for Clinical Leadership in Uro-Oncology at the 7th Cancer Summit & Awards in 2026.
Accreditation, Recognition and Accessible Cancer Care
RGCIRC holds NABH and NABL accreditations, along with Green OT and Nursing Excellence certifications. The Institute was recognised among Newsweek’s World’s Best Specialised Hospitals in 2024 and 2025, ranked No. 1 in North India among single-specialty hospitals in The Times of India’s 2025 critical-care hospital survey, and received the Best Oncology Hospital of the Year award at the Cancer Summit & Awards 2026.
Established in 1996 as a not-for-profit cancer centre, RGCIRC also works to make specialist cancer care more accessible. Its Philanthropy Department supports eligible patients through financial assistance and subsidised treatment options. Over the years, RGCIRC has cared for more than 3.5 lakh patients from India and neighbouring regions.
Consult a Penile Cancer Specialist at RGCIRC
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with penile cancer, has a persistent penile lesion, or needs a second opinion on the recommended treatment, the Uro-Oncology team at RGCIRC can review the diagnosis, explain the available treatment options and guide the next steps based on the stage and extent of the disease.
To book a consultation, schedule an appointment online or download the RGCI Care app on iOS or Android devices.
For appointments:
Rohini: +91-11-4702 2222
Niti Bagh, South Delhi: +91-11-4582 2222
OPD Hours: Monday to Saturday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Emergency Services: Available 24×7 at both campuses