Introduction: Penile cancer accounts for 10% to 20% of the male urogenital tumors. In Brazil, the North and Northeast regions have the highest rates. Objective: Analytical, retrospective, and cross-sectional study addressing the profile of individuals with penile neoplasms who have undergone penectomy in Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil. Methods: The population of this study consisted of 305 men who underwent penectomy at the Pernambuco State Cancer Hospital (HCP), from 2000 to 2009. There was prevalence of elderly, low-schooling and low-income men, as well as individuals from municipalities outside the Metropolitan Region of Recife. Results: Poor hygiene, smoking, and phimosis were the main risk factors identified. Patients showed epidermoid carcinoma (type I) and metastasis. The early signs and symptoms were tumor and painful ulcer. Conclusion: Most of the individuals have undergone partial penectomy. Keywords: Penile Neoplasms; Epidemiology; Hygiene; Phimosis; Brazil.