Treatments for stage 3 penile cancer
The following are treatment options for stage 3 penile cancer. Your healthcare team will suggest treatments based on your needs and work with you to develop a treatment plan.
Surgery
Surgery is the main treatment for stage 3 penile cancer. The types of surgery used are:
Partial or total penectomy is surgery that removes part or all of the penis.
Lymph node dissection may be used to remove lymph nodes that have cancer.
Radiation therapy
You may be offered radiation therapy for stage 3 penile cancer. The type of radiation therapy is external beam radiation therapy. Radiation therapy may be given:
- to the penis
- to the groin area to treat lymph nodes
- at the same time as chemotherapy
- after surgery (
adjuvant therapy) - instead of surgery for men who are unable to have surgery or choose not to
Drug therapy
Chemotherapy is sometimes offered for stage 3 penile cancer. Chemotherapy may be given:
- at the same time as radiation therapy (called chemoradiation)
- before surgery to shrink the tumour
- after surgery
Clinical trials
Some clinical trials in Canada are open to men with penile cancer. Clinical trials look at new ways to prevent, find and treat cancer. Find out more about clinical trials.