Radiotherapy for penile cancer

You can have radiotherapy for penile cancer externally or internally. Find out more about how you have this.

Your team use the planning appointment to work out the dose of radiotherapy you need and exactly where you need it.

You usually have external radiotherapy for penile cancer as an outpatient each weekday over 4 to 6 weeks. You won’t feel anything when you have the treatment.

Internal radiotherapy means giving radiotherapy to the cancer from inside the penis.

Side effects tend to start a few days after the radiotherapy begins. Side effects might include sore skin or swelling.

Long term side effects of penile cancer radiotherapy are more likely with higher doses of radiation. They can include tiredness and problems passing urine.