Penile Cancer Staging
Stages of cancer of the penis
Once cancer of the penis is found, more tests will be done to find out if the cancer has spread from the penis to other parts of the body (staging). It is important to know the stage of the disease in order to plan treatment. The following stages are used for cancer of the penis:
Stage 0
Cancer is found only on the surface of the skin of the penis. Stage 0 cancer is also called carcinoma in situ.
Stage I
Cancer has spread to connective tissue just under the skin of the penis.
Stage II
Cancer has spread to either:
- connective tissue just under the skin of the penis and to one lymph node in the groin; or
- erectile tissue (spongy tissue that gets larger to make an erection) and may have spread to one lymph node in the groin.
Stage III
Cancer has spread to either:
- connective tissue or erectiletissue of the penis and to more than one lymph node in the groin; or
- the urethra or prostate, and may have spread to one or more lymph nodes in the groin.
Stage IV
Cancer has spread:
- to tissues next to the penis and may have spread to lymph nodes in the groin or pelvis; or
- anywhere in or near the penis and in one or more lymph nodes deep in the pelvis or groin; or
- to distant parts of the body.
Recurrent
Recurrent disease means that the cancer has come back (recurred) after it has been treated. It may come back in the same area or in another place.
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