Symptoms of penile cancer

Penile cancer often causes symptoms at an early stage. Most often the first sign of penile cancer is a change in the skin of the penis. This can happen on the head (glans) of the penis or on the foreskin (in uncircumcised men). It can also occur on the shaft. Other health conditions can cause the same symptoms as penile cancer.

See your doctor if you have these signs or symptoms:

• any growth or sore on the penis
• any change in the colour of the penis – the foreskin may have to be pulled back to see the discoloured area
• a lump or thickening of the skin on the penis
• redness or irritation of the penis
• reddish or velvety rash
• small crusty bumps
• flat, bluish-brown growths
• foul-smelling discharge or bleeding from the penis or from underneath the foreskin
• swelling at the end of the penis
• a lump in the groin
• unexplained pain in the shaft or tip of the penis
• an area or sore that itches or burns