Single-institution experience with primary tumours of the male urethra

Urethral cancer: a comprehensive review endorsed by the Global Society of Rare Genitourinary Tumours

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effectiveness and adverse effects of urethrectomy alone or as part of multimodal therapy (MMT).

METHODS

A comprehensive search was conducted across MEDLINE (OVID), EMBASE, LILACS and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) databases, from their inception to the present date. The study cohort comprised individuals aged 16 years and older diagnosed with urethral tumours at any stage who underwent either isolated urethrectomy or urethrectomy as an integral component of MMT.

RESULTS

Ninety-two studies comprising 25 480 patients met the inclusion criteria. Surgical outcomes for urethral cancer vary considerably, with 5-year overall survival (OS) ranging from 10% to 68% based on disease extent, approach, and gender. Radiotherapy (RT) alone provides 5-year OS of approximately 40%. Combined regimens provide better outcomes compared to single modalities, including reduced recurrence and enhanced survival. However, trimodal therapy showed survival benefits only for urothelial subtypes, indicating the need to tailor management according to cancer type. MMT with neoadjuvant chemotherapy prior to surgery demonstrated the most consistent survival gains.

CONCLUSIONS

The management of urethral cancer demands a nuanced, personalised approach, accounting for factors such as tumour location, sex, and tumour stage. MMT combining surgery, chemotherapy and RT has shown the ability to enhance outcomes in advanced disease. More extensive collaborative studies through specialised centres are imperative to advance evidence-based protocols and refine treatment in order to improve survival.

Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the urethral diverticulum mimicking prostate cancer: Case report and review of the literature

Primary urethral carcinomas are uncommon, with urothelial carcinoma as the most common subtype. Urethral diverticulum is also rarely seen in men. A 44-year-old male presented with voiding symptoms. Abdominoperineal resection, prostatectomy, bladder neck excision, and proximal urethral excision were performed. A pathological examination revealed a well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) located inside an urethral diverticulum. We report this unusual case because primary SCC of the male urethral diverticulum is extremely rare. To our knowledge, our patient is only the second reported case.

[Penis-preserving surgery in patients with primary penile urethral cancer]

BACKGROUND

Primary urethral cancer in males is a rare entity with only approximately 800 cases described, which is why it is difficult to formulate evidence-based guidelines for treatment. For tumors in the pT2 stage with a localization distal to the membranous urethra, a penis-preserving operation can be carried out.

METHODS

In the period from November 2006 to February 2014 a total of 4 patients with primary urethral cancer underwent a penis-preserving urethral resection. The tumor characteristics and treatment results were collated retrospectively.

RESULTS

Of the four patients one had a transitional cell carcinoma of the mid-penile urethra in stage pT2 G2. In two out of the four patients a squamous cell carcinoma (PEC) was present in the mid-penile urethra in stages pT2 G2 and pT2 G3, respectively, with concomitant carcinoma in situ (CIS). The fourth patient had a PEC of the fossa terminalis in stage pT2 G2. Initially all patients underwent a penis-preserving resection. In one case, despite an initial R0 resection a local recurrence occurred and a complete penectomy was performed. Irradiation and lymphadenectomy were not carried out. At a mean follow-up of 37 months all patients are currently in complete remission.

CONCLUSION

Primary penile urethral cancer can be treated by a penis-preserving operation. Close follow-up is essential because recurrence can arise despite an initial R0 resection.

Non-surgical treatment of primary female urethral cancer

Primary carcinomas of the female urethra are extremely rare, with an annual incidence of less than ten in one million. Currently, there is no consensus regarding management of this malignancy. However, there have been several case reports demonstrating the efficacy of chemoradiation in the treatment of female urethral cancer. In this report we present two cases of female primary urethral adenocarcinoma that were treated by concomitant chemotherapy and external beam radiotherapy, followed by interstitial brachytherapy.

Surgery for urethral cancer

Primary urethral cancers represent less than 1% of genitourinary malignancy. Given this is an uncommon disease, there are limited data to guide diagnostic and treatment strategies. Surgical extirpation remains the standard for most patients, with the addition of chemotherapy and radiation therapy in select patients. The surgical approach to urethral cancer depends largely on the location and extent of the tumor.

Invasive adenocarcinoma of the prostate with urethral tumor

Metastases of prostate cancer to the penis and urethra are rare and often represent advanced disease. We describe a case of newly diagnosed prostatic adenocarcinoma with metastases to the corpus spongiosum, cavernosum, and the anterior urethra. A male patient, 77 years of age, initially had lower urinary tract obstruction symptoms. His prostate-specific antigen level was 5.02 ng/mL. Digital rectal examination disclosed stony hard tumors at both lobes of the prostate. Transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy of the prostate revealed adenocarcinoma over both lobes; the Gleason score was 4 + 4 = 8. Cystoscopy showed a penile urethral tumor and biopsy disclosed metastatic adenocarcinoma of the prostate; the Gleason score was 4 + 4 = 8. The patient initially received hormone therapy. Biochemical failure developed after 15 months and rapidly progressed to a hormone-refractory stage. Docetaxel was then prescribed. The patient died in the 25(th) month after the diagnosis.