✦ Penile Cancer Treatment

Wide Local Excision / Glansectomy

Q: What is the recurrence rate after glansectomy?

Local recurrence rates are 5–10% for carefully selected cases; close surveillance allows early detection and salvage. Your consultant will provide specific guidance based on your individual clinical situation and recovery.

Q: Will sexual function be preserved after glansectomy?

Erection and orgasmic function are generally maintained; sensation changes after skin graft neo-glans but most patients report satisfactory sexual function.

Q: When is penile-preserving surgery not appropriate?

Penile preservation is not appropriate when tumour-free margins cannot be achieved safely — partial or total penectomy is then required.

Organ-Preserving Surgical Treatment for Penile Cancer

60–120 min PROCEDURE

1–2 Days HOSPITAL STAY

>85% SUCCESS RATE

3–4 Weeks RECOVERY

What is Wide Local Excision / Glansectomy?

Wide Local Excision and Glansectomy are organ-preserving surgical procedures for penile cancer. Wide local excision removes the tumour with adequate margins (>3 mm) from the shaft or foreskin. Glansectomy removes the entire glans for tumours confined to it — the defect is reconstructed using a split-thickness skin graft or local flap to create a neo-glans. These penile-preserving approaches maintain urinary function and sexual confidence where oncologically safe. The procedure is performed under general or spinal anaesthesia with a hospital stay of 1–2 Days. Success rates reach >85% in appropriately selected patients at experienced centres.

Patients with penile cancer (stages T1–T2) confined to the glans, foreskin, or distal shaft where tumour-free margins can be achieved with organ-preserving surgery. Patients must be adequately fit for anaesthesia and free from active systemic infection before proceeding.

How the Procedure Works

Tumour Assessment

Tumour assessed clinically and with MRI for depth of invasion.

Wide Local Excision

Tumour excised with 3–5 mm margins; defect reconstructed with local tissue or skin graft.

Glansectomy

Glans removed distal to the coronal sulcus; urethroplasty performed to create a neo-meatus.

Graft Harvesting

Split-thickness skin graft harvested from thigh; applied to the graft bed to reconstruct the neo-glans.

Catheter Placement

Tie-over dressing applied; indwelling catheter placed for 5–7 days.

Outcomes

60–120 minDURATION

1–2 DaysHOSPITAL STAY

>85%SUCCESS RATE

3–4 WeeksFULL RECOVERY

Who Needs This Treatment?

→Preserves maximum penile length and function.
→Excellent cosmetic outcome with skin graft neo-glans reconstruction.
→Maintains urinary function without need for perineal urethrostomy.
→Psychological benefit of organ preservation vs partial or total penectomy.
→Local recurrence managed with further excision or penectomy if needed.
→Suitable for T1 and selected T2 tumours with adequate surgical margins.

"Organ preservation in penile cancer is our first priority when oncologically safe. Glansectomy with skin graft reconstruction allows us to achieve complete tumour removal while maintaining the function and appearance our patients value most."

— — Dr. Vipin Reddy, Consultant Urologist, Andrologist & Renal Transplant Surgeon

Common Questions

Frequently Asked

What is the recurrence rate after glansectomy?+

Will sexual function be preserved after glansectomy?+

When is penile-preserving surgery not appropriate?+

Not sure which treatment is right for you?

Book a consultation with Dr. Vipin Reddy and get a personalised treatment plan.

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