Primary urethral neoplasms: review of 30 cases

The recent literature shows our findings on primary urethral neoplasms to be consistent with others, although we did not show an increased incidence of these neoplasms in female over male subjects. Similarly, we recommend an operation with or without irradiation, depending on the stage and location of the lesion. The over-all prognosis of urethral neoplasms remains poor. However, the distal urethral lesions in male and female subjects are easier to approach surgically and seem to be diagnosed earlier in the progression of this disease than the more proximally advanced tumors. These early staged and distal neoplasms greatly improve the changes of long survival. The delay in diagnosis gives this neoplasm its poor prognosis. In men the prognosis probably could be improved by more aggressive evaluation of stricture disease, especially when the need for dilation becomes frequent. In women we believe that the caruncle should be biopsied if it shows signs of progression or remains symptomatic (pain, bleeding and so forth). If a 1 to 2-month course of antimicrobials does not resolve this lesion we recommend biopsy. A relationship between tumor and a diverticulum has been noted in the literature, as in 1 of our cases of adenocarcinoma in a female patient. Whether this relationship could be explained on the basis of recurrent infection and stasis remains theoretical. In conclusion, early diagnosis, accurate staging and aggressive treatments are the means for cure of this disease.