[Primitive cancer of the urethra]

Objective: We report six cases of primitive cancer of the urethra out of a total of 1109 cases of urologic cancers hospitalized during a period of 12 years

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Patients and Methods: From 1990 to 2001 six patients [four males, two females] were hospitalized for cancer of the urethra. The tumors were analyzed according to the classification of Grabstald. All the patients were explored by retrograde urethrocystography showing an irregular image of the urethra and at times opacifying the sinus ways. Urethrocystoscopy showed the site of the tumor and its aspect and allowed for diagnostic biopsies. In five cases it revealed an epidermoid cancer and an adenocarcinoma in one case. The treatment used depended on the stage of the disease and the general condition of the patients. Two patients underwent radical pelvectomy without any adjuvant treatment. Two patients with disseminated disease received palliative treatment by radiotherapy. The two remaining patients having refused surgical treatment were also treated by radiotherapy alone

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Results: Overall, the average rate of survival was 17.5 months [3 to 60 months]. The best results were achieved with surgical treatment. Two of the patients referred to the oncologist for palliative radiotherapy died within 3 and 6 months, respectively. One patient treated by radiotherapy alone after having refused surgical treatment presented 6 months later with a long post-radiation stenosis of the urethra. Since the patient still refused surgical treatment, he was treated by final cystostomy. The last patient also treated by exclusive radiotherapy is being followed up by the radiologists

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Conclusion: Primitive cancer of the urethra is rare. Its semiology is not very specific which explains the frequently delayed diagnosis. It is the meticulous examination of the urethra which allows the diagnosis. The treatment of choice is surgery and/or radiotherapy