GITNUXREPORT 2025

Penile Cancer Statistics

Penile cancer is rare but treatable, early detection improves survival.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

Penile cancer metastasizes primarily to inguinal lymph nodes, and less frequently to other regions

Statistic 2

Treatment options for penile cancer include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, depending on the stage

Statistic 3

Penile cancer presents clinical symptoms such as penile lesion, ulcer, or mass, often accompanied by pain or bleeding

Statistic 4

Surgery for penile cancer can involve partial or total penectomy, depending on tumor size and location

Statistic 5

The diagnosis of penile cancer often involves biopsy, imaging, and sentinel lymph node assessment, indicating comprehensive staging procedures

Statistic 6

The most common site of recurrence is the regional lymph nodes, which influences subsequent management strategies

Statistic 7

The median time from first symptoms to diagnosis is approximately 4 months, indicating a delay in detection in many cases

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The use of topical therapies, like 5-fluorouracil or imiquimod, has been explored for superficial penile lesions, offering less invasive options

Statistic 9

In some cases, penile cancer patients require inguinal lymph node dissection, which carries risks including lymphedema and infection

Statistic 10

Increased awareness and targeted screening can help detect penile cancer at an earlier, more treatable stage, potentially improving survival outcomes

Statistic 11

Penile cancer accounts for approximately 0.4% of all male cancers

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The global incidence of penile cancer is about 1 per 100,000 men

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Penile cancer is most common in men over the age of 50

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Approximately 50% of penile cancers are associated with human papillomavirus (HPV)

Statistic 15

Worldwide, penile cancer accounts for about 0.6% of male cancers in Europe

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In the United States, an estimated 1,010 new cases of penile cancer will be diagnosed in 2023

Statistic 17

The male-to-female ratio for cancer occurrence in the anogenital region is significantly higher in males for penile cancer

Statistic 18

The incidence of penile cancer in the UK is around 1 per 100,000 males

Statistic 19

The main histological type of penile cancer is squamous cell carcinoma, accounting for about 95% of cases

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The average age at diagnosis for penile cancer is around 60 years old

Statistic 21

Penile intraepithelial neoplasia (PeIN) is a precancerous lesion that can develop into invasive penile cancer

Statistic 22

The American Cancer Society estimates that about 380 men die annually from penile cancer in the US

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Penile cancer is rarely seen before the age of 40, accounting for less than 10% of cases in younger men

Statistic 24

Ethnic disparities exist in the incidence of penile cancer, with higher rates among men of African, Asian, and Hispanic descent

Statistic 25

The prevalence of penile cancer varies by geographic region, being higher in parts of Africa, South America, and Asia

Statistic 26

The five-year survival rate for localized penile cancer is about 84%

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The prognosis for penile cancer is highly dependent on the stage at diagnosis, with early detection leading to better outcomes

Statistic 28

Lymph node metastasis significantly worsens the prognosis of penile cancer, with survival rates dropping below 20% in cases with nodal involvement

Statistic 29

Invasive penile cancers tend to have a higher rate of regional and distant metastasis, impacting survival rates

Statistic 30

The rate of recurrence after surgical treatment of penile cancer varies but can be as high as 30%, necessitating close follow-up

Statistic 31

In high-incidence regions, screening and early treatment programs have shown to improve survival rates significantly

Statistic 32

About 20-30% of penile cancer cases are diagnosed at an advanced stage with lymph node involvement, lowering survival prospects

Statistic 33

The five-year survival rate for distant metastatic penile cancer drops below 10%, emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis

Statistic 34

Risk factors for penile cancer include HPV infection, phimosis, and smoking

Statistic 35

Circumcision during infancy has been associated with a reduced risk of penile cancer

Statistic 36

Men with a history of HPV are at approximately 3 times higher risk of developing penile cancer

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Penile cancer is more common in uncircumcised men compared to circumcised men, with relative risk increasing by approximately 3 times

Statistic 38

Smoking increases the risk of penile cancer by about 1.5 times compared to non-smokers

Statistic 39

Circumcision significantly reduces the risk of developing penile cancer, especially if performed early in life

Statistic 40

Men with a history of balanitis (inflammation of the foreskin and head of the penis) are at increased risk of penile cancer

Statistic 41

The incidence of penile cancer has decreased in countries where circumcision is more common, likely due to reduced risk factors

Statistic 42

The disease has a higher prevalence among men of lower socioeconomic status, possibly due to limited access to healthcare and hygiene

Statistic 43

The HPV vaccine may reduce the risk of developing penile cancer in vaccinated males, though more research is needed

Statistic 44

The prevalence of hypospadias, a congenital condition, is associated with an increased risk of penile cancer later in life

Statistic 45

There is evidence that poor hygiene and smegma accumulation are contributing factors for penile carcinogenesis

Statistic 46

Penile cancer is associated with a significant emotional and psychological burden, affecting quality of life and intimacy in affected men

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Key Highlights

Penile cancer accounts for approximately 0.4% of all male cancers
The global incidence of penile cancer is about 1 per 100,000 men
Penile cancer is most common in men over the age of 50
Risk factors for penile cancer include HPV infection, phimosis, and smoking
Approximately 50% of penile cancers are associated with human papillomavirus (HPV)
The five-year survival rate for localized penile cancer is about 84%
Worldwide, penile cancer accounts for about 0.6% of male cancers in Europe
Circumcision during infancy has been associated with a reduced risk of penile cancer
The prevalence of penile cancer varies by geographic region, being higher in parts of Africa, South America, and Asia
In the United States, an estimated 1,010 new cases of penile cancer will be diagnosed in 2023
The male-to-female ratio for cancer occurrence in the anogenital region is significantly higher in males for penile cancer
Men with a history of HPV are at approximately 3 times higher risk of developing penile cancer
Penile cancer metastasizes primarily to inguinal lymph nodes, and less frequently to other regions

Did you know that despite its rarity, penile cancer affects approximately 1 in 100,000 men worldwide—and early detection through awareness and preventive measures like vaccination and circumcision can dramatically improve survival rates?

Diagnosis and Treatment

Penile cancer metastasizes primarily to inguinal lymph nodes, and less frequently to other regions
Treatment options for penile cancer include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, depending on the stage
Penile cancer presents clinical symptoms such as penile lesion, ulcer, or mass, often accompanied by pain or bleeding
Surgery for penile cancer can involve partial or total penectomy, depending on tumor size and location
The diagnosis of penile cancer often involves biopsy, imaging, and sentinel lymph node assessment, indicating comprehensive staging procedures
The most common site of recurrence is the regional lymph nodes, which influences subsequent management strategies
The median time from first symptoms to diagnosis is approximately 4 months, indicating a delay in detection in many cases
The use of topical therapies, like 5-fluorouracil or imiquimod, has been explored for superficial penile lesions, offering less invasive options
In some cases, penile cancer patients require inguinal lymph node dissection, which carries risks including lymphedema and infection
Increased awareness and targeted screening can help detect penile cancer at an earlier, more treatable stage, potentially improving survival outcomes

Diagnosis and Treatment Interpretation

Penile cancer’s tendency to metastasize predominantly to inguinal lymph nodes underscores the necessity of vigilant staging and timely intervention, as delayed diagnosis—often averaging four months from initial symptoms—compounds treatment complexity and recurrence risk, highlighting that early detection and tailored therapies, including surgical and topical options, are crucial for improving patient outcomes.

Epidemiology and Incidence

Penile cancer accounts for approximately 0.4% of all male cancers
The global incidence of penile cancer is about 1 per 100,000 men
Penile cancer is most common in men over the age of 50
Approximately 50% of penile cancers are associated with human papillomavirus (HPV)
Worldwide, penile cancer accounts for about 0.6% of male cancers in Europe
In the United States, an estimated 1,010 new cases of penile cancer will be diagnosed in 2023
The male-to-female ratio for cancer occurrence in the anogenital region is significantly higher in males for penile cancer
The incidence of penile cancer in the UK is around 1 per 100,000 males
The main histological type of penile cancer is squamous cell carcinoma, accounting for about 95% of cases
The average age at diagnosis for penile cancer is around 60 years old
Penile intraepithelial neoplasia (PeIN) is a precancerous lesion that can develop into invasive penile cancer
The American Cancer Society estimates that about 380 men die annually from penile cancer in the US
Penile cancer is rarely seen before the age of 40, accounting for less than 10% of cases in younger men
Ethnic disparities exist in the incidence of penile cancer, with higher rates among men of African, Asian, and Hispanic descent

Epidemiology and Incidence Interpretation

While penile cancer remains a rare cancer—constituting a mere 0.4% of male cancers—it predominantly affects men over 50, with HPV playing a notable role, reminding us that even the most infrequent malignancies warrant vigilance and proactive prevention.

Geographical and Demographic Variations

The prevalence of penile cancer varies by geographic region, being higher in parts of Africa, South America, and Asia

Geographical and Demographic Variations Interpretation

The uneven global landscape of penile cancer underscores how local factors—be they environmental, cultural, or healthcare disparities—play a pivotal role in shaping its prevalence across Africa, South America, and Asia.

Prognosis and Survival Rates

The five-year survival rate for localized penile cancer is about 84%
The prognosis for penile cancer is highly dependent on the stage at diagnosis, with early detection leading to better outcomes
Lymph node metastasis significantly worsens the prognosis of penile cancer, with survival rates dropping below 20% in cases with nodal involvement
Invasive penile cancers tend to have a higher rate of regional and distant metastasis, impacting survival rates
The rate of recurrence after surgical treatment of penile cancer varies but can be as high as 30%, necessitating close follow-up
In high-incidence regions, screening and early treatment programs have shown to improve survival rates significantly
About 20-30% of penile cancer cases are diagnosed at an advanced stage with lymph node involvement, lowering survival prospects
The five-year survival rate for distant metastatic penile cancer drops below 10%, emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis

Prognosis and Survival Rates Interpretation

Penile cancer's survival story hinges on the crucial moments of early detection and fighting metastasis, as delay or advanced stages turn the prognosis from a hopeful 84% to a bleak sub-10%.

Risk Factors and Prevention

Risk factors for penile cancer include HPV infection, phimosis, and smoking
Circumcision during infancy has been associated with a reduced risk of penile cancer
Men with a history of HPV are at approximately 3 times higher risk of developing penile cancer
Penile cancer is more common in uncircumcised men compared to circumcised men, with relative risk increasing by approximately 3 times
Smoking increases the risk of penile cancer by about 1.5 times compared to non-smokers
Circumcision significantly reduces the risk of developing penile cancer, especially if performed early in life
Men with a history of balanitis (inflammation of the foreskin and head of the penis) are at increased risk of penile cancer
The incidence of penile cancer has decreased in countries where circumcision is more common, likely due to reduced risk factors
The disease has a higher prevalence among men of lower socioeconomic status, possibly due to limited access to healthcare and hygiene
The HPV vaccine may reduce the risk of developing penile cancer in vaccinated males, though more research is needed
The prevalence of hypospadias, a congenital condition, is associated with an increased risk of penile cancer later in life
There is evidence that poor hygiene and smegma accumulation are contributing factors for penile carcinogenesis
Penile cancer is associated with a significant emotional and psychological burden, affecting quality of life and intimacy in affected men

Risk Factors and Prevention Interpretation

While circumcision and HPV vaccination offer promising avenues to cut penile cancer risk, their disparity across socioeconomic and cultural lines underscores the persistent challenge of addressing preventable health disparities in men's urogenital cancer care.