Penile Cancer Diagnosis & Prognosis

Tests that examine the penis are used to diagnose penile cancer.
In addition to asking about your personal and family health history and doing a physical exam, your doctor may perform the following tests and procedures:

• Physical exam of the penis is an exam in which the doctor checks the penis for signs of disease, such as lumps or anything else that seems unusual.
• Biopsy is the removal of cells or tissues so they can be viewed under a microscope by a pathologist to check for signs of cancer. The tissue sample is removed during one of the following procedures: 
  • Incisional biopsy is the removal of part of a lump or a sample of tissue that doesn't look normal.
  • Excisional biopsy is the removal of an entire lump or area of tissue that doesn’t look normal.

You may want to get a second opinion to confirm your penile cancer diagnosis and treatment plan. If you seek a second opinion, you will need to get medical test results and reports from the first doctor to share with the second doctor. The second doctor will review the pathology report, slides, and scans. They may agree with the first doctor, suggest changes or another treatment approach, or provide more information about your cancer.

Learn more about choosing a doctor and getting a second opinion at Finding Cancer Care. You can contact NCI’s Cancer Information Service via chat, email, or phone (both in English and Spanish) for help finding a doctor, hospital, or getting a second opinion. For questions you might want to ask at your appointments, visit Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Cancer.

Certain factors affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options. The prognosis and treatment options depend on:

• the stage of the cancer
• the location and size of the tumor
• whether the cancer has just been diagnosed or has recurred (come back)