Survival Outcomes and Predictive Factors for Female Urethral Cancer: Long-term Experience with Korean Patients

The aim of this study was to evaluate female urethral cancer (UCa) patients treated and followed-up during a time period spanning more than 20 yr at single institution in Korea. We reviewed medical records of 21 consecutive patients diagnosed with female UCa at our institution between 1991 and 2012. After exclusion of two patients due to undefined histology, we examined clinicopathological variables, as well as survival outcomes of 19 patients with female UCa. A Cox proportional hazards ratio model was used to identify significant predictors of prognosis according to variables. The median age at diagnosis was 59 yr, and the median follow-up duration was 87.0 months. The most common initial symptoms were voiding symptoms and blood spotting. The median tumor size was 3.4 cm, and 55% of patients had lesions involving the entire urethra. The most common histologic type was adenocarcinoma, and the second most common type was urothelial carcinoma. Fourteen patients underwent surgery, and 7 of these patients received adjuvant radiation or systemic chemotherapy. Eleven patients experienced tumor recurrence after primary therapy. Patients with high stage disease, advanced T stage (> or =T3), and positive lymph nodes had worse survival outcomes compared to their counterparts. Particularly, lymph node positivity and advanced T stage were significant predictive factors for all survival outcomes. Tumor location was the only significant predictor for recurrence-free survival. Although our study included a small number of patients, it conveys valuable information about this rare female urologic malignancy in a Korean population.

Tumores de la uretra en el adulto / Urethra tumors in adult

Los tumores de uretra, benignos y malignos, en adultos de ambos sexos, son una entidad poco frecuente. La sintomatología, el exámen físico y los estudios complementarios nos permitirán realizar una orientación diagnóstica inicial, pero será la biopsia la que nos dé el diagnóstico definitivo que nos permitirá diferenciar entre un tumor benigno y el cáncer de uretra, cuyo concepto es primordial para la decisión terapéutica ulterior. En general, los tumores uretrales suelen tener una sintomatología común. Los benignos son candidatos para resección quirúrgica, siendo importante considerar aquellas entidades cuyo comportamiento es potencialmente neoplásico ya que deberán tener un seguimiento más estrecho. En cuanto al cáncer uretral hay que considerar que el pronóstico está determinado fundamentalmente por la ubicación anatómica, el tamaño y la profundidad invasora de la neoplasia siendo la histología de menor importancia en la respuesta terapéutica y en la sobrevida. El primer paso terapéutico es el control locorregional quirúrgico de la enfermedad con un margen libre de tumor de 2 cm, debiendo plantearse tratamiento adyuvante con quimioterapia y / o radioterapia en aquellos casos en los que no se pueda conseguir este margen. En casos seleccionados la radioterapia puede ser indicada en monoterapia con intención curativa.

Benign and malignant urethral tumors, in adults of both sexes, are a rare entity. Their symptoms, physical examination, and additional studies will allow us to perform an initial diagnostic approach, but it is the biopsy what will differentiate a benign tumor form cancer. In general, urethral tumors often have common symptoms. Benign tumors can usually be managed with surgical resection, but it is important to consider those entities whose behaviour is potentially neoplastic requiring a closer follow up. The prognosis of urethral cancer is determined mainly by the anatomical location, the size and depth of invasion of the tumor. Histology is of second importance in terms of therapeutic response and survival. The first step in treatment is surgical locoregional control of the disease with a tumor-free margin of 2 cm. Adjuvant chemotherapy and / or radiotherapy should be considered in those cases where this margin cannot be obtained. In selected cases, radiation therapy may be given as monotheraphy with curative intent.

Hemangioma de uretra anterior, tratamiento con láser Holmium: reporte de un caso y revisión de la literatura / Hemangioma of the anterior urethra, Holmium laser treatment. Case report and literature review

El hemangioma uretral es una causa muy infrecuente de uretrorragia. Es un tumor benigno que tiende a recurrir si el tratamiento no es el adecuado. El método diagnóstico de elección es la uretrocistoscopía orientada por una adecuada y exhaustiva anamnesis. Existen diferentes modalidades de tratamiento las que deben ser individualizadas según las características del hemangioma. Presentamos el caso de un paciente joven con uretrorragia intermitente secundario a hemangioma único en uretra anterior tratado mediante fotocoagulación con láser Holmium.

Urethral hemangioma is a rare cause of urethral bleeding. It is a benign tumor that tends to recur if treatment is not adequate. The diagnostic method of choice is urethrocystoscopy guided by adequate and thorough history. There are different treatment modalities, which should be individualized according to the characteristics of the hemangioma. We report the case of a young patient with intermittent urethral bleeding due to a single hemangioma in anterior urethra treated by holmium laser photocoagulation.

Clear cell adenocarcinoma of the male urethral tract.

We present a rare case of clear cell adenocarcinoma of the male bulbomembranous urethra. Mostly these tumors have been described in the female urethral tract with its possible origin from mullerian remnants, wolffian remnants or paraurethral glands. Histologically, these tumors have typically tubulocystic pattern comprising of hobnailed cells with clear glycogenated cytoplasm along with well-defined cytoplasmic membranes. This case is being presented due to its rarity, aggressive behavior and to discuss, trauma as its possible etiological factor

Endometrioid Adenocarcinoma in Urethrovaginal Septum: A Diagnostic Pitfall

Primary endometrioid adenocarcinoma developed at urethrovaginal septum has not been reported. A 61-yr-old woman presented with recurrent urinary tract infection. She had received hormone replacement treatment with estrogen and progesterone for 5 yr. A pinpoint ulceration at slightly elevated anterior vaginal wall was found and biopsy revealed endometrioid adenocarcinoma. Magnetic resonance imaging showed the 4.3 cm sized mass in urethrovaginal septum. She has undergone anterior pelvic exenteration, pelvic lymph node dissection, and urostomy with ileal conduit. Microscopic finding of the pathology revealed endometrioid adenocarcinoma. Co-existence of endometriosis was not identified. Tumor at urethrovaginal septum was difficult to be detected till growing to be bulky, because of vaginal axis, misunderstanding of the tumor as symphysis pubis, no definitive symptom, and its rarity. This is the first reported case of extraovarian endometrioid adenocarcinoma developed at the urethrovaginal septum. Understanding normal functional anatomy and meticulous physical examination are essential to detect this rare tumor in the urethrovaginal septum.

Male urethral cancer.

A 55 years old man presented with long standing voiding obstructive symptoms like poor stream, frequency of micturition, straining at micturition and a sense of incomplete evaluation since 2002. He was clinically diagnosed a case of stricture urethra. Later he developed a swelling in the penoscrotal region with retention of urine in March 2005 and was treated by dilatation. But on removal of the catheter he developed retention again for several times and ultimately for gross periurethral sepsis, urinary diversion was required in May 2005. In October 2005, biopsy from the scrotal abscess wall established the diagnosis of urethral carcinoma. In November 2005 extensive penoscrotectomy was done followed by chemo-radiotherapy. But the prognosis was so bad that the patient died in November 2006. Urethral carcinoma is a rare disease diagnosed in the department of urology, Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, the prognosis of which is also poor even after extensive operations.

[Tumors of the male urethra. A study of 7 cases]

To study the epidemiological, diagnostic and therapeutic features of primary tumors of the male urethra. In this retrospective study we evaluate 7 cases with tumors of the male urethra seen at our department over a period of 16 years [1989 -2005]. The following parameters were studied: the age of the patients, their medial history, clinical signs and symptoms, imaging and treatment modalities used and follow up. The patients' mean age was 56.1 years. Medical history revealed episodes of urethritis in 4 cases and treatment of cervico-urethral strictures in 4 cases. All patients complained of chronic irritating and obstructive symptoms - most patients presented with more than one symptom. Acute urinary retention was found in 5, bleeding per urethram and pyuria in 5 cystourethrography and confirmed by urethrocystoscopy and biopsy. All our patients were found to have squamous cell carcinoma. The tumor was localized in 6 patients. Treatment consisted endoscopic transurethral resection in one patient. Two patients were subjected to surgery. One of them with a stage T3N0M0 tumor of the prostatic urethra underwent urethrectomy in combination with cystoprostatectomy followed by urinary diversion [Coffey], while the other patient with a tumor at the bulbomembranous urethra [stage T4N0M0 with scrotal invasion] was subjected to penectomy and orchidectomy combined with perineal urethrostomy. Both these patients received adjuvant radiotherapy. Excision of a penile phlegmon was carried out in 3 patients. In one of them a urethral stent was left indwelling, while two were subjected to cystostomy. Due to bilateral lymphatic invasion, the remaining patient received preoperative radiotherapy, but he died three months later due to lung metastases. None of our patients received chemotherapy. Mean follow up was 9.5 months. At the end of the follow-up period 3 patients [one treated endoscopically and the two patients that had been subjected to surgery] were disease-free, while one patients had died and the 3 remaining ones were lost to follow up. Despite the availability of a variety of treatment modalities, tumors of the male urethra still have a poor prognosis. Due to their rarity, it is difficult to properly evaluate the treatment options which mainly depend on the tumor stage and whether or not there is lymphatic invasion

Les tumeurs de l'uretre chez l'homme. A propos de 7 cas

Objectif : Etudier les aspects epidemiologiques; diagnostiques et therapeutiques des tumeurs primitives de l'uretre chez l'homme. Patients et methodes : Il s'agit d'une etude retrospective portant sur 7 cas de tumeurs de l'uretre masculin colliges dans notre institution sur une periode de 16 ans (1989-2005). Plusieurs parametres ont ete analyses a savoir l'age des patients; les antecedents; les signes cliniques; l'imagerie et le traitement ainsi que le suiviResultats: L'age moyen des patients etait de 56;1 ans. Les antecedents montraient des uretrites a repetition (4 cas) et une stenose cervico-uretrale traitee (4 cas). Les circonstances de decouverte de la tumeur etaient des signes irritatifs et obstructifs chroniques chez tous nos patients; une notion de retention aigue d'urine chez 5 patients; une uretrorragie et une pyurie dans 5 cas et une alteration de l'etat general dans 3 cas. La plupart de nos patients avaient plus d'un signe. Le diagnostic a ete evoque par l'uretrocystographie retrograde et mictionnelle et confirme par l'uretrocystoscopie avec biopsie. Tous nos patients avaient un carcinome epidermoide. La tumeur etait diagnostiquee au stade locoregional dans 6 patients. Le traitement etait endoscopique (une resection trans-uretrale) chez un patient et chirurgical dans 2 cas: uretrectomie associee a une cystoprostatectomie et une derivation urinaire type Coffey chez un patient qui presentait une tumeur de l'uretre prostatique stade T3N0M0: amputation de verge avec uretrostomie perineale et orchidectomie chez un patient qui presentait une tumeur au niveau de l'uretre bulbomembraneux (stade T4N0M0 avec atteinte scrotale). Une radiotherapie adjuvante a ete realisee dans ces 2 cas. Un parage chirurgical d'un phlegmon de verge provoque par la tumeur de l'uretre a ete realise chez 3 patients avec la mise en place d'une sonde vesicale a demeure dans un cas; d'une cystostomie definitive chez les 2 autres. Le dernier patient avait un envahissement ganglionnaire bilateral et a ete confie pour radiotherapie preoperatoire; mais 3 mois plus tard il a developpe des metastases pulmonaires et il est decede. La chimiotherapie n'a pas ete utilisee chez nos malades. Le recul moyen etait de 9;5 mois. Trois patients ont ete en remission complete: deux avaient beneficie d'un traitement chirurgical et un d'un traitement endoscopique. Un patient est decede et les 3 autres ont ete perdus de vue .Conclusion: Les tumeurs de l'uretre masculin restent d'un pronostic gravissime malgre les divers traitements proposes. Leur rarete rend difficile l'evaluation des moyens therapeutiques qui seront fonction de l'extension ganglionnaire et du stade de la tumeur

Paraurethral leiomyoma: a case report.

A paraurethral leiomyoma is a rare benign hormone-dependent tumor of mesenchymal origin. A 43-year-old woman presented with a palpable mass near the urethral opening with no abnormal urinary symptom. Simple excision was performed Histopathological diagnosis was paraurethral leiomyoma with confirmation by immunohistochemical study. Further hormonal study of the tumor yielded positive estrogen and progesterone receptor expression, suggesting conservative treatment with gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist or antagonist may have a role as an alternative treatment in an inoperable case.

Aggressive vaginal angiomyxoma mimicking urethral tumor

This is a case report of a 32-year-old female patient with a neoplasia mimicking a urethral tumor. Following anterior pelvic exanteration, vulvectomy, bilateral inguinal lymphadenectomy, the pathological study established the diagnosis of aggressive vaginal angiomyxoma, CD-34 labeled.

An unusual presentation of female urethral leiomyoma.

Leiomyoma of the urethra is a rare clinical entity. We report an unusual presentation of this tumour, which led to a diagnostic and surgical dilemma. The patient was a 16-year old female who presented with a labial mass which was palpable abdominally. Imaging methods and laparoscopy demonstrated a well defined soft tissue mass arising from the pelvis, without any obvious involvement of the urinary tract. The tumour (8 x 10 cm) was completely excised with reconstruction of the bladder and urethra. Histology confirmed a cellular leiomyoma.

Cáncer de uretra femenino / Cancer of the female urethra

Se presentan dos casos de pacientes portadoras de cáncer de uretra, ambos carcinomas de células transicionales, en diferente etapa de propagación tumoral, presentación clínica, tratamiento y resultado final. Se comenta incidencia, principales tipos histológicos y diferentes vías de tratamiento de acuerdo a la literatura médica

Leiomyome de l'urethre feminin [. propos d'un cas et revue de la litterature]

Leiomyoma of the urethra is a benign tumor. Leiomyoma of the female urethra is extremly rare. The tumor is often asymptomatic, but can cause dysuria, urinary frequency, urinary retention, and dyspareunia. The diagnosis is rarely suspected before surgery, but currently, because of the sonographic appeerance of this tumor on transvaginal sonography, it can be suggested as the diagnosis. Simple surgical resection remains the treatment of choice. Only a few cases of leiomyoma of the female urethra have been reported in the literature. We describe an additional case, and review the literature on this rare neoplasm

Adenocarcinoma de uretra feminina: relato de caso / Adenocarcinoma of the female urethra

Um caso de adenocarcinoma de uretra em paciente do sexo feminino, onde os autores descrevem a neoplasia baseando-se em estudos histopatológicos, endoscópicos e radiológicos. A neoplasia se apresenta em regiäo proximal da uretra como adenocarcinoma do tipo muco-secretor. É feita uma revisäo literária sendo este o 16§ o caso relatado

Linfoepitelioma de uretra: informe de un caso / Urethral lymphoepithelioma: report of a case

Los carcinomas que se asemejan en sus características histológicas a un linfoespitelioma nasofaríngeo se han identificado en glándulas salivales, timo, amigdalas, cérvix uterino y vejiga urinaria. Se informa un caso de carcinoma semejante a linfoepitelioma de uretra en una mujer de 72 años. En el estudio histopatológico se observó una neoplasia constuida por nódulos, islas y cordones de células con citoplasma eosinófilo amplio y núcleo vesicular con uno o dos nucleolos prominentes, que estaba en contacto con un infiltrado linfoide acentuado. Los estudios de inmunohistoquímica demostraron positividad para la citoqueratina de alto peso molecular en la porción epitelial y positividad para el CD45RO en el componente linfoide. El estudio de hibridación in situ para búsqueda del genoma del virus de Epstein-Barr fue negativo

Carcinoma de uretra feminina / Urethral carcinoma female

O câncer da uretra feminina é uma patologia rara, com maior incidência em mulheres acima dos 50 anos. O prognóstico é diretamente relacionado com a localizaçäo do tumor e o tratamento compreende a remoçäo cirúrgica com ou sem radioterapia associada. Relatamos um caso de carcinoma epidermóide de uretra em uma mulher de 58 anos, tratado com uretrectomia total complementada, um ano após, com um procedimento de derivaçäo urinária continente.