Overview
Often times, it may be recommended that men with penile cancer undergo surgery. In certain situations removal of the penis (called penectomy), in part or in whole, may be recommended; additional procedures may accompany the penectomy and include removal of the scrotum and lymph nodes. Emasculation is the removal of the penis and testicles, typically, this is performed to treat advanced cancers.
Partial Penectomy
- This involves removal of the end of the penis. This operation is used for penile tumors that are small and located towards the tip of the penis.
- A stump of penis is left behind through which the patient urinates and ejaculates.
- If an inadequate length of stump is left behind, the entire penis is removed (see Radical (Total) Penectomy, below.
- Patients are followed closely for any sign of recurrence.
- This operation is rarely used in conjunction with a lymph node dissection.
Radical (Total) Penectomy
- This involves removal of the entire penis and urethra (the tube through which urine exits the body). This operation is used for penile tumors that are large and located in the middle or at the base of the penis. Also, this operation is used when a partial penectomy is attempted but adequate length is not achieved.
- The urethra is redirected to the area between the scrotum and rectum (perineal urethrostomy). The patient must sit to urinate and cannot ejaculate. The testes are left in place so reproduction is possible, but only through surgery to harvest sperm from the testes followed by in vitro fertilization.
- Patients are followed closely for any sign of recurrence.
- This operation is often used in conjunction with a lymph node dissection.
Emasculation: During emasculation, the penis and testicles are removed. Typically, this is performed to treat advanced cancers.