Written by Dr. Mohammed Imaduddin, MBBS, MS (General Surgery), M.Ch (Surgical Oncology) · Medically reviewed by Dr. Owais Mohammed, MBBS, MD, DrNB (Medical Oncology), MRCP SCE (UK) · Last reviewed May 2026
Penile cancer is uncommon, but India accounts for a meaningful share of global cases — and the cancer is one of the most frequently delayed in diagnosis because of social discomfort around discussing the symptoms. The reassuring fact is that almost all penile cancers begin as a visible change on the skin of the penis, which means awareness, self-examination, and the willingness to seek a specialist opinion when something looks wrong can lead to diagnosis at a highly curable stage.
Penile cancer occurs when cells in the skin or tissue of the penis grow uncontrollably and form a tumour. Most penile cancers begin on the glans (head of the penis) or on the inner surface of the foreskin and are squamous cell carcinomas — cancers of the thin, flat skin cells. Because most penile cancers start on visible surfaces, almost all can be detected at an early stage with a simple examination.
Penile cancer is rare in countries where circumcision is common at birth or in childhood, but is seen more often in regions where circumcision is uncommon and where chronic hygiene-related conditions such as phimosis (an unretractable foreskin) are widespread. India has historically had one of the higher incidence rates of penile cancer globally. The good news is that early penile cancer is highly curable with appropriate treatment, and modern surgical techniques can often preserve form and function — but delay is the single biggest enemy of outcome.
Stage I penile cancer — confined to the surface of the glans or foreskin — has 5-year survival above 85%, and many early-stage cancers can be treated with organ-preserving surgery that maintains both appearance and function. The challenge is not the disease itself but the delay in seeking help. Any persistent visible change on the penis lasting more than 2–3 weeks deserves a specialist examination.
Penile cancers are classified by the cell type they arise from. Squamous cell carcinoma is overwhelmingly the most common.
The most common type, accounting for over 95% of penile cancers. It arises from the thin, flat squamous cells of the skin covering the glans, foreskin or shaft of the penis. A meaningful share is linked to long-standing human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Treatment depends on stage and location and ranges from organ-preserving local excision and laser therapy to partial or total penectomy with reconstruction.
A rare type that arises from the basal cells of the penile skin. Behaves like basal cell carcinoma elsewhere on the skin and is usually managed with surgical excision alone, with excellent outcomes.
A rare and aggressive cancer that begins in the pigment-producing cells of the penile skin. It often appears as a darkly pigmented patch or lesion, but not all penile melanomas are pigmented. Requires specialist treatment, usually with surgery, with newer systemic therapy options for advanced disease.
A rare cancer that arises from glandular cells of the penile skin. Often appears as a slowly enlarging red, scaly patch and can be mistaken for a stubborn skin condition. Requires surgical excision and long-term follow-up.
Very rare cancers of the connective tissue or blood vessels of the penis. Each subtype requires a tailored specialist treatment plan.
For detailed information on diagnosis, organ-preserving surgery, reconstructive options and modern systemic therapy, see our dedicated page on penile cancer treatment in Hyderabad.
Penile cancer almost always announces itself with a visible change on the skin of the penis. Watch for any of the following:
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Stage I disease confined to the surface of the glans or foreskin has 5-year survival above 85%. Delay is the single biggest enemy of outcome.
India has historically had one of the higher penile cancer incidence rates globally, and the cancer is still diagnosed regularly across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh — particularly in middle-aged and older men. Most cases present late, primarily because social discomfort and embarrassment delay men from seeking medical advice for what may be a small early lesion.
Three regional drivers stand out: low rates of circumcision combined with chronic phimosis and poor genital hygiene, the high prevalence of tobacco use (which roughly doubles risk), and a relatively low awareness of HPV as a cause of urogenital cancers. Any persistent ulcer, growth, or skin change on the penis lasting more than 2–3 weeks deserves a specialist examination — early-stage penile cancer can usually be treated with organ-preserving surgery, while advanced disease may require more extensive surgery.
Penile cancer typically develops after years of chronic irritation, infection, or HPV exposure. Established risk factors include:
Any of the following should prompt an urgent specialist examination — there is no need to feel embarrassed, and early evaluation can be life-saving:
A short specialist consultation and the right diagnostic test — imaging, endoscopy, biopsy, or blood test as appropriate — is usually enough to confirm or rule out cancer. Early action is always easier than catching up later.
Our NABH-accredited centres across Hyderabad deliver evidence-based penile cancer care — from clinical examination and biopsy through to organ-preserving surgery (glansectomy, glans resurfacing, laser therapy), partial and total penectomy with reconstructive support, inguinal lymph node dissection, advanced radiation therapy, and modern systemic therapy including immunotherapy for advanced disease — guided by NCCN and EAU protocols and reviewed for every patient by a multidisciplinary uro-oncology tumour board with full attention to dignity, privacy, and quality of life.
For a detailed walk-through of penile cancer diagnosis, treatment options, costs, and our specialist team, see our dedicated page on penile cancer treatment in Hyderabad.
Read how patients across Hyderabad found their way through diagnosis and treatment — with dignity, privacy, and a team that walked the journey with them.
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Start Your Story. Book Free Consultation.The most common first sign is a sore, ulcer, lump, or skin change on the penis — most often on the glans or under the foreskin — that does not heal within 2–3 weeks. Other early signs include a persistent red, brown or white patch on the skin of the penis, bleeding or foul-smelling discharge from under the foreskin, or new adult-onset phimosis (difficulty retracting a previously retractable foreskin). Any persistent visible change on the penis deserves a specialist examination.
Long-standing infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) — the same virus that causes most cervical, anal and oropharyngeal cancers — is linked to a significant proportion of penile cancers. Not all penile cancers are HPV-related, but those that are tend to have a distinct pattern of behaviour. HPV vaccination in adolescent boys helps prevent the long-term development of HPV-related cancers including penile cancer, and is now widely available across Hyderabad.
Yes. Long-standing phimosis — a tight foreskin that cannot be retracted — is a well-established risk factor for penile cancer, particularly when combined with poor genital hygiene and chronic inflammation. The accumulated debris and chronic irritation create the conditions for malignant change. Adult-onset phimosis, where the foreskin becomes harder to retract after years of normal retraction, is especially important — it can be the first sign of an underlying penile cancer and should always be evaluated by a specialist.
Yes — penile cancer is highly curable when caught early. Stage I disease confined to the surface of the glans or foreskin has 5-year survival rates above 85%, and many early-stage cancers can be treated with organ-preserving surgery that maintains both appearance and function. Even cancers that have spread to the inguinal lymph nodes can often be cured with a combination of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. The challenge is that penile cancer is one of the most likely cancers to be diagnosed late because of social discomfort — delay is the single biggest enemy of outcome.
Penile cancer is largely preventable. Treatment of phimosis (sometimes including circumcision), maintaining good genital hygiene, stopping all forms of tobacco use, HPV vaccination in adolescent boys, practising safe sex to reduce HPV exposure, and prompt treatment of chronic balanitis or skin conditions of the penis all reduce risk. Early evaluation of any persistent penile lesion is the most effective way to prevent late-stage cancer.
