Types of Penile Cancer. As with other groups of cancer, there are several different kinds of penile cancer that a man can suffer from. Epidermoid/squamous cell carcinoma is the most common type of penile cancer. When looked up under the microscope, the skin cells look like tissues. The cancer usually starts under the foreskin, but it can start in any place on the penis. This kind of cancer, when caught early, usually has a positive outcome for cure and recovery. Basal cell carcinoma constitutes only about 2% of penile cancers. This cancer is found in the lower epidermis of the penis and is considered a non-melanoma skin cancer. These basal cell cancers grow slowly and are typically confined to one area and do not spread. Melanoma is the most aggressive type of skin cancer and usually happens on the top of the penis. Sarcomas make up only about 1% of the diagnosed cases of penile cancers. They generally affect the tissue that connects the body. This kind of cancer also grows and spreads quickly.
