Staging

Staging is a process that tells a doctor if the cancer has spread and if it has, how far. Staging for penile cancer depends on the location, extent, and grade of the tumor. Tumor grade is a description of how the cancer cells look compared to normal cells under a microscope. Staging is an important step in evaluating prognosis and treatment options.



Penile cancer Staging

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  • Stage 0:

    "Carcinoma in situ." Abnormal, but non-invasive cells are found in the top layer of the skin of the penis.

  • Stage I:

    The tumor has spread to the connective tissue beneath the top layer of skin. Tumor is low-grade (grade 1 or 2). Cancer has not spread to the blood vessels or lymph vessels.

  • Stage II:

    Tumor has spread to connective tissue beneath the top layer of skin. It is either high-grade (grade 3 or 4) OR has grown into the blood or lymph vessels.

    OR

    Tumor has spread to the internal chambers of the penis (corpus spongiosum or corpera cavernosum).

    OR

    Tumor has invaded the urethra.

  • Stage IIIa:

    Any or all of the above, plus the cancer has spread to a single lymph node in the groin.

  • Stage IIIb:

    Any or all of the above, plus the cancer has spread to multiple (two or more) lymph nodes in the groin.

  • Stage IV:

    The tumor has invaded adjacent structures, such as the penis.

    OR

    Cancer in the groin lymph nodes has grown through the surface of the nodes and into surrounding tissue.

    OR

    Cancer has spread to distant organs or parts of the body.