About Urethral Cancer
Urethral cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the urethra.
The urethra is the tube that carries urine from the bladder to outside the body. In women, the urethra is about 1½ inches long and is just above the vagina. In men, the urethra is about 8 inches long, and goes through the prostate gland and the penis to the outside of the body. In men, the urethra also carries semen.
Urethral cancer is a rare cancer that occurs more often in men than in women.
Urethral cancer can metastasize (spread) quickly to tissues around the urethra and is often found in nearby lymph nodes by the time it is diagnosed. Learn more about the types, symptoms and risk factors of urethral cancer below to stay informed and in charge of your health.
Symptoms and Risk Factors of Urethral Cancer
There are different types of urethral cancer that begin in cells that line the urethra. These cancers are named for the types of cells that become malignant (cancer):
- Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common type of urethral cancer. It forms in cells in the part of the urethra near the bladder in women, and in the lining of the urethra in the penis in men
- Transitional cell carcinoma forms in the area near the urethral opening in women, and in the part of the urethra that goes through the prostate gland in men
- Adenocarcinoma forms in the glands that are around the urethra in both men and women
These and other signs and symptoms may be caused by urethral cancer or by other conditions. There may be no signs or symptoms in the early stages. Check with your doctor if you have any of the following:
- Trouble starting the flow of urine
- Weak or interrupted ("stop-and-go") flow of urine
- Frequent urination, especially at night
- Incontinence
- Discharge from the urethra
- Bleeding from the urethra or blood in the urine
- A lump or thickness in the perineum or penis
- A painless lump or swelling in the groin
Risk factors for urethral cancer include the following:
- Having a history of bladder cancer
- Having conditions that cause chronic inflammation in the urethra, including:
- Sexually transmitted diseases, including human papillomavirus (HPV), especially HPV type 16
- Frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs)
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