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Urethral Cancer: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment Options

Urethral cancer is a rare form of cancer that affects the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with urethral cancer, it's essential to understand the symptoms, risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment options available.

What Is Urethral Cancer?

Urethral cancer occurs when cells in the urethra grow abnormally and out of control. In men, the urethra passes through the prostate and the penis, while in women, it is shorter and ends just above the opening to the vagina.

Risk Factors for Urethral Cancer

Certain factors may increase your risk of developing urethral cancer, including:

  • Being over the age of 60

  • Having frequent urinary tract infections

  • Having sexually transmitted diseases that cause inflammation of the urethra

  • Infection with human papillomavirus (HPV), especially HPV 16

The HPV vaccine, recommended for girls and boys at ages 11 or 12, protects against HPV 16. The FDA has approved the Gardasil 9 HPV vaccine for males and females ages 9 to 45.

Symptoms of Urethral Cancer

In the early stages, urethral cancer may not cause any noticeable symptoms. As the disease progresses, you may experience:

  • Difficulty urinating or a weak urine flow

  • Inability to hold urine

  • Frequent urination, especially at night

  • Pain during urination

  • Blood in the urine

  • Discharge from the urethra

  • A swollen spot or painless lump in the groin or penis

If you experience any of these symptoms, it's essential to consult your doctor for an accurate diagnosis, as these symptoms may also be signs of other conditions.

Types of Urethral Cancer

There are three main types of urethral cancer:

  1. Squamous cell carcinoma: The most common type, it starts in the cells that line the urethra in the penis in men and near the bladder in women.

  2. Transitional cell carcinoma: This type grows where the urethra opens in women and where it passes through the prostate in men.

  3. Adenocarcinoma: This form of urethral cancer begins in the glands around the urethra.

Diagnosing Urethral Cancer

To diagnose urethral cancer, your doctor will review your medical history, perform a physical exam, and may order the following tests:

  • Blood tests

  • Urine analysis to look for abnormal cells

  • Cystoscopy to examine the inside of the urethra

  • Biopsy to determine if cells are cancerous

  • Imaging tests, such as chest X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs, to check for cancer spread

  • Urethrography, a series of X-rays with contrast dye, to visualize the urethra and nearby tissues

Treatment Options for Urethral Cancer

The most common treatment for urethral cancer is surgery, which may involve removing the tumor, the urethra, or the bladder, depending on the location and extent of the cancer. In some cases, the vagina or part or all of the penis may also be removed. Plastic surgery may be performed to reconstruct the reproductive organs.

Other treatment options include:

  • Radiation therapy: Uses high-energy beams to kill cancer cells

  • Chemotherapy: Uses drugs to destroy cancer cells throughout the body

  • Active surveillance: Closely monitoring the cancer without immediate treatment, with regular tests to check for progression

Your doctor will develop a personalized treatment plan based on the type, location, and stage of your urethral cancer, as well as your overall health and preferences.

If you suspect you may have urethral cancer or have been diagnosed with the condition, it's crucial to work closely with your healthcare team to understand your options and make informed decisions about your treatment. With proper care and management, many people with urethral cancer can achieve a good quality of life.

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