Information for Allied Health Care Professionals
Penile cancer is a rare cancer with 700 men being diagnosed each year in the UK, 6000 in Europe and around 36,000 men globally.Due to its rarity many healthcare professionals will never have encountered the condition and will not be able to offer advice to men on how to help them deal with some of the physical and psychological effects of treatment.
This guide is designed to give a brief overview of the patient journey and help provide an insight into some of the short and long-term needs men may need to help them manage the impact of the disease. It is an initiative created for Orchids Four Nations Allied Project, a project aimed at raising the profile of penile cancer within the four countries of the UK and developing new initiatives to help support men and their partners. The guide has been compiled with the help of men who have been affected by penile cancer and clinicians involved in their care. The aim of the guide is to give allied healthcare professionals such as GPs, community nurses, pharmacists, and other health care professionals a reference guide which may help them to support patients outside of the clinical setting.
We hope it will complement our free phone National Male Cancer Helpline manned by specialist nurse and our telephone counselling service for anyone affected by penile or testicular cancer.
Non-cancerous conditions
Treating Early Penile Cancer
Topical Treatment (creams) Chemotherapy -5-fluorouracil (Effudex™) This is a type of chemotherapy cream which is applied to the penis for…
Living with penile cancer
Symptoms
Possible symptoms of penile cancer may include: Penis Groin Any abnormal rash, lesion, ulcer, or discharge, on or from the…
Risk Factors
The causes and the way that penile cancer develops is not fully understood but there are some factors which increase…
Diagnosis and investigations
In the UK, men diagnosed with penile cancer will be referred to a regional specialist centre or supranetwork. These centres…
Types of Penile Cancer
Squamous cell carcinoma The most common type of penile cancer (95%) is called squamous cell carcinoma. Squamous cells are skin…
Radiotherapy for localised penile cancer
Radiation therapy is the use of high-energy x-rays to kill cancer cells. It can be directed at cancer from outside…
Radiotherapy and chemotherapy for advanced penile cancer
Radiotherapy and chemotherapy can be used to treat penile cancer which has spread to other areas of the body such…
Surgery for penile cancer
The aim of all surgery is to preserve as much of the penis as possible while removing all of the…
Lymph Node Dissection
The Lymphatic System and Lymph Nodes The lymphatic system transports a fluid called lymph. Lymph will contain various cells and…