Penile Cancer

Talking often with the doctor is important to make informed decisions about your health care. These suggested questions are a starting point to help you learn more about your cancer care and treatment. You are also encouraged to ask additional questions that are important to you.

General questions:

• What type of penile cancer do I have?
• What is the stage of the cancer, and what does this mean?
• What is the grade of the cancer, and what does this mean?
• Can you explain my pathology report (laboratory test results) to me?
• What treatment options do I have?
• What clinical trials are open to me?
• What treatment plan do you recommend? Why?
• Do I need treatment right away?
• What is the goal of this treatment?
• Could I benefit from a second opinion? Why or why not?
• Who will be part of my health care team, and what does each member do?
• Who will be coordinating my overall treatment and follow-up care?
• What are the possible side effects of this treatment, both in the short term and the long term?
• How will this treatment affect my daily life? Will I be able to work, exercise, and perform my usual activities?
• Will this treatment change how I urinate?
• Could this treatment affect my sex life? If so, how and for how long?
• Could this treatment affect my ability to have children? If so, should I talk with a fertility specialist before cancer treatment begins?
• Should I be seeing a psychologist, counselor, or other mental health professional to help me deal with any fear and body image issues?
• If I’m worried about managing the costs related to my cancer care, who can help me with these concerns?
• Whom do I call for questions or problems?

For people who need surgery:

• Will I need to stay in the hospital for this surgery? For how long?
• What are the common side effects of this surgery?
• Do I have options other than surgery

For people who need radiation therapy or laser therapy:

• What type of therapy am I getting?
• How can I prepare for this treatment?
• What side effects can I expect from this treatment, and how can they be managed?
• Do I have other options for treatment?

For people who need chemotherapy or immunotherapy:

• What type of drugs will I receive?
• How do I prepare for this treatment?
• What side effects can I expect from this treatment, and how can they be managed?
• How likely is this therapy to be successful? Are there other options?

After treatment:

• What are the chances that the cancer will return?
• What follow-up tests do I need, and how often do I need them?
• What support services are available to me? To my family?