Urethral Cancer

Primary cancer of the urethra is an uncommon lesion with only slightly more than 400 cases in men, and slightly less than 1,100 cases in females reported in the literature. Review of these cases allows some generalizations. The most common tumor type in both sexes is squamous cell carcinoma. Signs and symptoms are varied and nonpathognomonic. Anterior or distal lesions in both sexes, in general, drain into inguinal lymph nodes, while posterior or proximal lesions drain into pelvic nodes; obviously some overlapping can occur. Anterior lesions are discovered earlier, are usually of lower stage, and can be controlled by less radical means than posterior tumors. They have a much better prognosis than posterior lesions. Although these cancers are rare, the diagnosis should always be considered in any patient with urethral complaints.