The following symptoms and complaints may indicate penile carcinoma (penile cancer):
- Exophytic (cauliflower-like) tumor/papillary tumor or, less commonly, ulcerative (oozing, bleeding; further possible: nodular (nodule-like) or flat
- Lymphadenopathy (lymph node enlargement) in the inguinal area (groin area; advanced symptom).
Preliminary stages of penile carcinoma
- Uncharacteristic, painless skin lesions (red or white spot; nodular changes; possibly also contact bleeding or bleeding tendency) that progressively increase in size and with an increase in enlargement also show hardening
- Bloody purulent discharge from the preputial sac (foreskin sac).
Localization of the primary localization
| Localization | Frequency (%) |
| Glans penis (glans) | 48 |
| Preputium (foreskin leaf) | 21 |
| Preputium, glans penis and penile shaft | 14 |
| Preputium and glans penis | 9 |
| Sulcus coronarius (transition of the glans to the penile body is marked by the penile furrow (sulcus coronarius)) | 6 |
| Penis shaft | < 2 |
Notice:
- The corpus cavernosum (erectile tissue) is affected in approximately 30% of cases.
- It is not uncommon for penile carcinoma to hide under a phimotic prepuce (constricted foreskin).
Warning signs (red flags)
- Non-healing wound in the area of the glans penis (glans) or inner preputial leaf (foreskin leaf) → think of: Penile carcinoma