Urethra cancer is the rarest type of urological cancer, which is more common in men than in women. Advanced age (over 60 years) and those with a history of bladder cancer have a higher risk of urethral cancer. In addition, some sexually transmitted diseases such as frequent urinary tract infections and HPV (human papillomavirus) can cause chronic inflammation in the urethra, increasing the risk of cancer. Urethra cancer can progress without any symptoms; It can also be manifested by blood in the urine, frequent, weak or intermittent urine, discharge from the urethra, or lymph nodes developing around the urethra. Urethral cancer can be life-threatening if not diagnosed and treated early.
What is the urethra?
The urethra is a hollow tube that drains urine stored in the bladder out of the body, in men it is 8 inches long and runs from the bladder through the prostate to the tip of the penis. In women, the 1.5-inch-long urethra is just above the vagina.
What is Urethra Cancer?
Cancer of the urethra is a cancer that develops in the urethra, caused by cancerous (malignant) cells in the tissues lining the urethra, a narrow tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body. Urethra cancer is the rarest of all urological cancers. It is more common in men than women, and the risk of developing urethral cancer is higher in those over 60 years of age and those with a history of bladder cancer. In addition, some sexually transmitted diseases such as frequent urinary tract infections and HPV (human papilloma virus) cause chronic inflammation in the urethra, increasing the risk of urethral cancer. Urethral cancer can progress insidiously without any symptoms at first, and later on, it manifests itself with blood in the urine, frequent, weak or interrupted urine, discharge from the urethra or lymph nodes developing around the urethra.
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What are the Causes of Urethra Cancer?
As with many types of cancer, the causes of urethral cancer are not known yet. However, it is known that urethral cancer occurs when healthy cells begin to grow uncontrollably and these cells gather together to form a tumor. However, it is not known exactly why these cells grow rapidly and cause urethral cancer. Studies on urethral cancer patients suggest that these factors increase the risk of cancer:
- People over the age of 60 have a higher risk of urethral cancer than younger people.
- The risk of urethral cancer is high in patients with a history of bladder cancer. In addition, even if the bladder is removed in those treated for bladder cancer, urethral cancer may develop later.
- Sexually transmitted diseases such as HPV (human papillomavirus) can increase the risk of urethral cancer.
- Those who have frequent urinary tract infections have a higher risk of urethral cancer.
- Chronic inflammation of the urethra can cause urethral cancer.
- In men, urethral stenosis can increase the risk of cancer of the urethra, as it can cause chronic swelling and inflammation.
- A mass in the urethra may increase the risks of urethral cancer in women.
- Black people have twice the risk of urethral cancer than white people.
What Are Urethral Cancer Symptoms?
Urethral cancer progresses without symptoms at first because of the small size of the cancer tumors. Cancer of the urethra can cause these symptoms in the patient as the tumors grow:
- blood in the urine
- discharge or bleeding from the urethra
- Frequent urination and the urge to urinate without urinating
- Having trouble urinating
- Pain or low flow when urinating
- urinary incontinence
- Enlarged lymph nodes in the groin
- A lump or growth in the area between the genitals and the anus
It is also possible that many of the above symptoms are also caused by another disease. However, without neglecting these symptoms, an experienced urologist should be consulted to determine whether there is cancer or not. Because urethral cancer can cause life-threatening risks if not treated early.
How Is Urethral Cancer Diagnosed?
Since the symptoms of urethral cancer are often similar to the symptoms of other diseases, patients often receive treatment for different diseases. These treatments may be urinary tract infections or benign prostatic hyperplasia in men. Patients who cannot get results from these treatments should be examined in detail. After obtaining information about the reasons for visiting the doctor, risk factors and family history of the disease, the patient should be physically examined. By applying digital rectal examination to men and pelvic examination to women, information about tumors around the urethra is obtained. In addition, your doctor may request the following tests and procedures for a definitive diagnosis:
- urine test
- Blood test
- ultrasound
- Endoscopic examination (cystoscopy or ureteroscopy)
- CT scan
- Biopsy
As in many types of cancer, biopsy is the most important examination for the definitive diagnosis of urethral cancer. After a definitive diagnosis of urethral cancer is made, further tests may be done to learn more about the cancer. These tests determine the stage of the cancer and how far the cancer has spread (metastasized). After the urethral cancer is completely staged, the doctor starts the treatment process as soon as possible by planning the treatment with the patient.
How Is Urethral Cancer Treated?
Urethral cancer treatment options are planned based on the type of urethral cancer you have, where it is in the urethra, your gender, test results, and the stage of the cancer. The most important treatment techniques of urethral cancer are:
Surgical treatment
Surgery is the most common treatment for urethral cancer. The cancerous tumor is surgically removed from the inside or outside of the urethra. In addition, lymph nodes affected by cancer around the urethra are cleaned with surgical technique.
Radiation Therapy
With radiation therapy, cancer cells are eliminated by means of intense energy beams. Radiation is often used in conjunction with surgery or chemotherapy in urethral cancer.
Chemotherapy
Medicines to prevent urethral cancer tumors are used after surgery to shrink the tumor before the operation and to prevent the recurrence of the disease.
Surveillance
In some cases in the treatment of urethral cancer, the patient is only kept under surveillance. This means that the cancer is not treated immediately. In other words, if the tumor does not cause any problems in the patient, does not show a tendency to grow or spread, the patient should be kept under regular examination and tests by his doctor. When it is determined that the tumor has started to grow or has a tendency to spread, other treatment options are applied to the patient.
Follow-up After Treatment
With the treatment of urethral cancer, the tumor can be completely removed. this does not eliminate the possibility of cancer recurrence. For this reason, the patient should be kept under control by his doctor in order to catch the risk of cancer recurrence early and prevent possible spread.
Frequently asked Questions
During the treatment of urethral cancer, side effects such as hair loss, wounds in various parts of the body, especially in the mouth, vomiting, loss of appetite and tension can be seen due to chemotherapy and other drug treatments.
Urethral cancer is an insidious disease that can progress without any symptoms at first. When diagnosed early, it can be treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy, especially with surgery.
After urethral cancer is treated, the likelihood of disease recurrence depends on the initial stage and location of the cancerous tumor, and small-stage, anterior urethral cancer has a lower risk of recurrence.
