Hi TraceyN. Welcome to the forum.

Please note that only the nurses are medically qualified, and (to the best of my knowledge) none of our members are doctors or nurses.  I am not a doctor and I can't give medical advice, only my understanding of the situation as lay person. 

The term "in situ" is used for an early stage (penile) cancer which is confined to the top layers of skin. I have seen a reference to penile carcinoma in situ as actually being a "precancerous" condition. You may also see it referred to as a Stage 0 cancer.  

The important points are that your husband's cancer (or pre-cancer) was limited to the foreskin, and was at such an early stage that spread is very unlikely. The foreskin has now been removed, taking the lesion with it.  There is every reason to think that this will be the end of the matter.

The hospital will continue to monitor your husband for form's sake, but I doubt that any of them expect that there will be any problems.  And no doubt your husband will be hyperaware of any future changes to his organ and will report them to the doctor. 

Now, any mention of the term cancer is alarming, but I hope that you are now somewhat reassured.  Those of us who are old hands here recommend NOT consulting Google, as it tends to highlight worst case (and usually uncommon) scenarios, which simply adds to anxiety without shedding any useful light on the situation.

If you have any questions that need to be asked of a qualified person, then you can post a question in the Ask The Nurses section of the forum, or phone the number at the bottom of this web page.  

Hi Tracey,

Good one on your husband for getting himself off to the GP so promptly and for persisting.  Would be great if all us patients were like that.

Cancer Research's pages on Penile Cancer are here www.cancerresearchuk.org/.../stages-types-grades  they will probably mention what Telemando also said, which is that stage 0 (CIS) is like a 'pre-cancer'.  There will be changes to the cells basically and that indicates it could/will (not sure if it's a definite or not) go on to become cancer if left alone.
 

It's a shame they didn't give you more information and ensure you both understood the situation.  Alternatively they might have done and it just went over your head, that's the thing about the minute the word 'cancer' gets mentioned, the amount we fail to hear after that is crazy!  It's definitely worth your husband going and asking questions of either his care team or his GP, just so he can have his mind put at rest.

The mention of HPV is relevant as in the same way it increases the risk of certain types of cancer in women (cervical in particular) it might be that it also increases the risk of penile cancer in men.  From the various studies I've read on it the jury is still out on that one, but it might explain why his ex mentioned it at least.  The term HPV is used for a whole load of viruses so I guess in time they may well find that some of them do increase your chance of getting penile cancer.

I take it they have tested your husband for HPV?  That would be relevant information for you too.

Hope he gets some proper clarification off his care team or GP and that you can both get on enjoying life without the stress of the 'c' word.

Take care,

LJx

Hi thank you. No they have not said if he is hpv positive which is frustrating as I recently had a hysterectomy and now I don't have smears but I read hpv can cause vaginal cancer so now double worried xx

ThankYou x

Well you've got a good example in your husband of someone who acted instead of worrying :)

If you're worried definitely contact either his care team or your own GP and ask about it.  It can't do any harm and it should put your mind at rest.

LJx