Read article Chemotherapy for penile cancer
This page is about chemotherapy for penile cancer. There is information about
Chemotherapy for penile cancer
Chemotherapy uses anti cancer drugs to kill cancer cells. For penile cancer you might have either chemotherapy cream, or chemotherapy into a vein.
Chemotherapy cream
Chemotherapy cream only destroys the cancer cells in the area of skin treated. If you have carcinoma in situ or a small, early stage cancer on the foreskin or end of your penis, your doctor might prescribe a chemotherapy cream to apply to the cancerous area. The cream only kills cancer cells near the surface of the skin, so is not used to treat deeper cancers.
Chemotherapy into a vein
You might have this type of treatment if your cancer has spread from the penis to other parts of your body. Chemotherapy is often given with radiotherapy.
Side effects
The side effects you might get depend on the type of chemotherapy you have. Your skin might become sore, red and inflamed when using chemotherapy cream. Generally, chemotherapy into a vein may cause tiredness, sickness, a sore mouth, an increased chance of picking up an infection and hair loss.
You can view and print the quick guides for all the pages in the treating penile cancer section.
Chemotherapy uses anti cancer or cytotoxic drugs to disrupt the growth of cancer cells and destroy them. For penile cancer you might have
Chemotherapy skin cream
Chemotherapy cream only destroys the cancer cells in the area of skin treated. If you have an in situ, or small early stage cancer on the foreskin or end of your penis, your doctor might prescribe a chemotherapy cream to apply to the cancerous area. This is known as topical chemotherapy. The chemotherapy drug used is called fluorouracil. The cream only kills cancer cells near the surface of the skin, so is not used to treat deeper cancers.
Your skin might become sore, red and inflamed when using chemotherapy cream. Tell your doctor or nurse if this happens and they may be able to give you other creams and painkillers to reduce any pain and inflammation. These side effects should wear off within a couple of weeks after stopping treatment.
Chemotherapy into a vein
Chemotherapy into the bloodstream circulates through the body. You might have this type of treatment if your cancer has spread from the penis to other parts of your body.
Research is also investigating
- Using chemotherapy before surgery (neo adjuvant) to reduce the amount of surgery you need
- Using chemotherapy after surgery (adjuvant therapy) to reduce the chance of the cancer coming back
The chemotherapy drugs you might have include
You might have one drug on its own, or a combination of two or three. Chemotherapy (usually with 1 or 2 drugs) is often given with radiotherapy to increase its effectiveness.
Chemotherapy causes side effects. The side effects you might get depend on the type of chemotherapy you have. Generally, the treatment may cause
- Tiredness
- Sickness
- Sore mouth
- An increased chance of picking up an infection
- Hair loss
You can find out more about the specific side effects you may get by using the links above on the name of the drugs.
We don't yet know much scientifically about how some nutritional or herbal supplements may interact with chemotherapy. Some could be harmful. It is very important to let your doctors know if you take any supplements. Or if you are prescribed them by alternative or complementary therapy practitioners.
Talk to your specialist about any other tablets or medicines you take while you are having chemotherapy. There is information about the safety of herbal, vitamin and diet supplements in the complementary therapies section.
Some studies seem to suggest that fish oil preparations may reduce the effectiveness of chemotherapy drugs. If you are taking or thinking of taking these supplements talk to your doctor to find out whether they could affect your treatment.
You can find out more general information about chemotherapy in the main chemotherapy section. It explains the treatment in more detail including
If you would like more information about chemotherapy, contact one of the organisations that support men with penile cancer, who will be able to help you.
You can also contact our cancer information nurses. They would be happy to help.
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