Penis

Abstract

Summary Cancer of the penis is an uncommon malignancy with an incidence in the developed world of about 1 per 100,000 men. There is considerable geographical variation in incidence. Established risk factors include oncogenic HPV types 16 and 18, tobacco consumption, phimosis and increasing age. It most commonly occurs on the glans and foreskin and in early stages is highly curable by local management. Penile preserving options, both surgical and radiotherapeutic, are emphasized. First line of spread is to regional lymph nodes, evaluation of which is essential for high‐risk tumours. For locally‐advanced presentations, a multidisciplinary approach is recommended, combining surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, the optimal sequencing of which is being explored in international cooperative clinical trials.