Symptoms of penile cancer
The symptoms of cancer of the penis can include:
- a growth or sore on your penis
- bleeding or a foul smelling discharge
- a rash on your penis
- difficulty pulling back your foreskin
- a change in colour of your penis or foreskin
The symptoms listed here are more often caused by other medical conditions. But if you have any of them it is important to see your GP.
A growth or sore on your penis
A growth or sore on your penis that doesn't heal within 4 weeks can be a symptom of penile cancer. It can look like a wart, ulcer or blister and might not be painful. It is important to know what is normal for you.
Tell you doctor about any changes.
Bleeding from your penis
Bleeding can be a sign of cancer, including from under your foreskin.
A foul smelling discharge
A foul smelling discharge can occur due to an infection or because something is irritating the skin of the penis. It can also be due to not washing often or thoroughly enough. Cancer of the penis is a much less common cause.
If you do not wash your penis every day, a cheese-like substance called smegma can build up. This is different from constant discharge. It is important to see your doctor if you notice something unusual for you.
A rash on your penis
You may notice that a rash develops on your penis. It is important to be aware of what is normal for you and report any changes to your doctor.
Difficulty in drawing back your foreskin (phimosis)
You may notice it becomes more difficult to draw back your foreskin.
A change in the colour of your penis or foreskin
You may see changes to the colour of your penis or foreskin. It is important to be aware of what is normal for you and report any changes to your doctor.
Other rarer symptoms
These symptoms can be a sign of a more advanced cancer:
- a lump in the groin
- feeling tired
- abdominal (tummy) pain
- pain in the bones
- loss of weight
