Chemotherapy for penile cancer

When you have chemotherapy

You might have chemotherapy into your bloodstream if your cancer has spread from the penis to other parts of your body. You might have it with radiotherapy before surgery. This can shrink the cancer and make it easier for your surgeon to remove.

Or you might have chemotherapy after surgery to kill any cancer cells that might be left behind.

How you have chemotherapy

You might have chemotherapy into a vein (intravenously) through a drip into your arm. A nurse puts a small tube into one of your veins and connects the drip to it.

You might need a central line. This is a long plastic tube that gives the drugs into a large vein, either in your chest or through a vein in your arm. It stays in while you’re having treatment, which may be for a few months.

Where you have chemotherapy

You usually have treatment into your bloodstream at the cancer day clinic. You might sit in a chair for a few hours so it’s a good idea to take things in to do. For example, newspapers, books or electronic devices can all help to pass the time. You can usually bring a friend or family member with you.

You have some types of chemotherapy over several days. You might be able to have some drugs through a small portable pump that you take home.

For some types of chemotherapy you have to stay in a hospital ward. This could be overnight or for a couple of days.

Some hospitals may give certain chemotherapy treatments to you at home. Your doctor or nurse can tell you more about this.

Watch the video below about what happens when you have chemotherapy. It is almost 3 minutes long.

Types of chemotherapy

There are many different chemotherapy drugs. The most common drug for penile cancer is cisplatin.

Doctors might also use:

• docetaxel (Taxotere)

• paclitaxel (Taxol)

• ifosphamide

• gemcitabine

• mitomycin C

• fluorouracil

• methotrexate

• bleomycin

• irinotecan

Check the name of the chemotherapy treatment with your doctor or nurse. Then you can find out about it on our A to Z list of cancer drugs.

A to Z list of cancer drugs

Before you start chemotherapy

You need to have blood tests to make sure it’s safe to start treatment. You usually have these a few days before or on the day you start treatment. You have blood tests before each round or cycle of treatment.

Your blood cells need to recover from your last treatment before you have more chemotherapy. Sometimes your blood counts are not high enough to have chemotherapy. If this happens, your doctor usually delays your next treatment. They will tell you when to repeat the blood test. 

The pharmacists make chemotherapy for each person individually. They do this once your blood test results have come through and it’s worked out based on your weight, height and general health.

Side effects

Common chemotherapy side effects include:

• feeling sick

• loss of appetite

• losing weight

• feeling very tired

• increased risk of getting an infection

• bleeding and bruising easily

• diarrhoea or constipation

• hair loss

Side effects depend on:

• which drugs you have

• how much of each drug you have

• how you react

Tell your treatment team about any side effects that you have.

Most side effects only last for a few days or so. Your treatment team can help to manage any side effects that you have.

Dietary or herbal supplements and chemotherapy

Let your doctors know if you take any supplements or if you’re prescribed them by alternative or complementary therapy practitioners.

It’s uncertain how some nutritional or herbal supplements may interact with chemotherapy. Some could be harmful.

Find out more about the safety of herbal, vitamin and diet supplements

When you go home

Chemotherapy for penile cancer can be difficult to cope with. Tell your doctor or nurse about any problems or side effects that you have. The nurse will give you telephone numbers to call if you have any problems at home.