[Carcinoma of the female urethra]

From 1962 to 1980, 24 patients with primary urethral carcinoma and 1 vulval cancer involving the urethra were treated in our hospital. In this series, the mean age was 52 years. 23 lesions in the distal (anterior) urethra were all diagnosed preoperatively. Pathological classification were as follows: squamous cell carcinoma 16, adenocarcinoma 3, transitional cell carcinoma and undifferentiated carcinoma 4. The chief method of treatment were resection of the tumor and reconstruction of a new urethra, using bladder flap in two forms: abdominal urethra and reconstructed urethra in the original position. Preoperative or postoperative irradiation was given in one third of the patients. 17 patients have shown satisfactory results in the follow-up. The 7 and 10 year survival rates are 36% and 18% among 11 patients who are living and well.