Penile Cancer Chemotherapy & Immunotherapy

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is a cancer treatment that uses drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping the cells from dividing. When chemotherapy is taken by mouth or injected into a vein, the drugs enter the bloodstream and can reach cancer cells throughout the body (systemic chemotherapy). When it is put on the skin as a cream or ointment, it attacks only cancer cells at that site (topical chemotherapy). How chemotherapy is administered depends on the type and stage of the cancer being treated. For Stage 0 penile cancer, topical chemotherapy may be used. Your physician may prescribe chemotherapy before or after surgery. It may also be given in tandem with radiation therapy.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy in the form of a topical cream may be used for early stage (e.g., Stage 0) penile cancer. This treatment is similar to a topical chemotherapy, but boosts your immune system’s ability to fight the cancer.