URETHRAL CANCER
Understanding Urethral Cancer
The urethra is a tube that carries urine from the bladder to outside the body. Cancers of the urethra by themselves are very rare, but they can coexist with bladder cancer. Urethral cancer type, such as urothelial and squamous, may vary depending on its location within the urethra.
When small, urethral cancer may not cause any symptoms. Some of the symptoms it may cause as it grows include:
- Noticeable lump in the urethra (particularly in males)
- Difficulty urinating
- Painful or burning urination
- Blood in the urine
- Bleeding from the urethra
- Increase in frequency or urgency of urination
- Urinary incontinence
- Enlarged lymph nodes that may be palpable in the groin
Diagnosing urethral cancer requires imaging as well as tissue sampling. This allows the physician to accurately diagnose the type of cancer you may have so we can determine the best treatment plan for you.
Cystourethroscopy refers to using a small camera to look inside the urethra and bladder and allows sampling (biopsy) of abnormal tissue at the same time if necessary.
Imaging studies such as CT scans and/or MRIs are often used to identify potential cancerous tissue in other parts of the body. This is referred to as staging of the cancer.
Urine testing may be obtained to check for blood, infection and cancerous cells.
Treatment will vary depending on the size, location and degree of cancer involvement. Transurethral resection and/or ablation, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and more invasive treatments such as urethrectomy (removal of urethra), partial or complete penectomy (penis removal) and cystourethrectomy (removal of bladder and urethra) with some form of urinary diversion, may be recommended alone or in combination to completely eliminate the cancer.
The more advanced and aggressive the cancer, the higher the chance of needing additional treatments of different kinds to treat it.
Urethral Cancer FAQs
Patients with a history of bladder, ureteral or urethral cancer are at higher risk of developing urethral cancers in the future. In addition, age, history of recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are additional risk factors for urethral cancer.
Similar to other cancers, urethral cancer may recur in the future even after successful treatment. It is, therefore, highly recommended that you follow the monitoring recommendations of your doctor.
When diagnosed and treated early, urethral cancer can be curable. Chances of cure decline with more advanced disease. Advanced disease also typically requires different types of treatments which may impact quality of life.
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Urethral Cancer Treatment in Northwest Indiana
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