Urethral Cancer

Home » Urethral Cancer » Overview, Types, Incidence

Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Your Cancer
(Free Handout)

Overview

The urethra is the structure that carries urine, and in men, semen from the body. It is located within the penis (organ for reproduction and urination) in men and in front of the vagina (passageway to the uterus, birth canal) in women. Urethral cancer is rare and is often associated with invasive bladder cancer. It tends to spread (metastasize) to adjacent soft tissue and is often locally advanced when diagnosed.

Types
Different types of urethral cancer develop within different types of cells and in different portions of the urethra. In women, the urethra is lined with transitional cells near the urethral opening and squamous cells near the bladder. In men, transitional cells line the upper portion and squamous cells line the urethra at the base of and within the penis.

Squamous cell carcinoma develops in flat, scaly surface cells and is the most common type of urethral cancer. Other types include the following:

• Transitional cell carcinoma (develops in surface cells of the urethra)
• Adenocarcinoma (develops in glands located near the urethra)
• Melanoma (extremely rare; develops in pigment-producing skin cells)
• Sarcoma (extremely rare; develops in blood vessels, smooth muscle, and connective tissue)

Urethral cancer that is superficial and located in the anterior portion of the structure (i.e., toward the urethral opening) often can be treated successfully. Cancer that develops in the posterior portion of the urethra (i.e., near the bladder) is usually invasive and rarely curable.

In women, urethral cancer often spreads to the labia, vagina, and bladder neck. In men, the condition may spread to the tissues of the penis and perineum, the prostate gland, the ligament that surrounds the urethra (urogenital diaphragm), the regional lymph nodes, and the penile and scrotal skin.

Incidence and Prevalence
Urethral cancer is more common in women. It can occur at any age, but the incidence is highest in patients in their 60s.

In men, 80% of cases are squamous cell carcinomas, most of which occur in the urethra at the base of the penis. In women, 60% of cases are squamous cell carcinomas.

Urethral Cancer Resources

	Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Your Cancer The more knowledge you have, the easier it is to make decisions about your cancer treatment. Print this free handout to take with you on your next office visit.	Advertising Disclaimer
	Join Our Urethral Cancer Forum Do you have a question, want to share medical advice, or just need to discuss your situation with someone else having a similar experience? The healthchannels forum is a resource for everyone to share and discuss their health and medical needs with others.
	Living with...Share your story Do you have a personal health story that you would like to share with others? As a source of free patient education, our goal is to provide our users with trustworthy information and support from others. That's why we've started our "Living with..." sections.
	Our "Living With..." support pages are a place to share experiences about living with a certain condition, disease, disorder, or illness and for loved ones of those dealing with health-related issues. Many people, especially when newly diagnosed, find comfort in knowing that others are having a similar experience. Help others by sharing your story. View stories already submitted. June 1st is National Cancer Survivors Day Share your survival story and help others in the fight against cancer. Read cancer survivor stories already submitted.
Are you interested in becoming a nurse? Take this test. Advertising Disclaimer To quickly access health information from your website's browser, download Healthcommunities.com's healthchannels toolbar. Advertising Disclaimer