Penile cancer, or cancer of the penis, is a relatively rare form of cancer that affects the skin and tissues of the penis. It occurs when normally healthy cells in the penis become cancerous and begin to grow out of control, forming a tumor.

What are the symptoms of penile cancer?

The first noticeable symptom of penile cancer is typically a lump, mass, or ulcer on the penis. It may look like a small, insignificant bump or a large, infected sore. In most cases, it’ll be located on the head or foreskin instead of on the shaft of the penis.

Other symptoms of penile cancer include:

• itching
• burning
• discharge
• changes in the color of the penis
• thickening of the penile skin
• bleeding
• redness
• irritation
• swollen lymph nodes in the groin