[Intra-diverticular adenocarcinoma of the urethra in women]

We report on a female patient who presented with urethrorrhagia and a palpable urethral mass which was diagnosed as urethral diverticulum, the site of a tumor that proved to be adenocarcinoma of the urethra. The patient underwent radical urethrectomy and pelvic and inguinal lymphadenectomy. Urethral reconstruction was performed using a vesical flap following the technique described by Tanagho. Thereafter, she received 6 courses of M-VAC polychemotherapy. Diverticulum and carcinoma of the female urethra are uncommon. Adenocarcinoma is the most common tumor type encountered in these diverticula. Diagnosis is clinically simple and treatment is by radical surgery and radiotherapy. The foregoing treatment modalities have improved patient survival when the tumor is detected early. This tumor type is particularly aggressive and outcome depends on tumor stage.