Introduction Of Urethral Cancer
Urethral cancer is a rare type of cancer that affects the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body. It can occur in both men and women, but it is more common in men and older adults. Urethral cancer can be challenging to diagnose and treat, as it often causes no symptoms until it is advanced. In this blog post, we will discuss the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of urethral cancer.
Quick Points To Get You Started
- The exact cause of urethral cancer is unknown
- Urethral cancer may not cause any symptoms in its early stages, making it difficult to detect
- Urethral cancer treatment varies based on tumor specifics, your health, and preferences. Factors include type, stage, size, and more
- Targeted therapy uncommon for urethral cancer due to limited proven drug effectiveness
- No guaranteed prevention for urethral cancer
- According to the American Cancer Society, Urethral cancer survival rates are approx. 83% localized, 54% regional, 31% distant
What are the causes of urethral cancer?
The exact cause of urethral cancer is not known, but some factors may increase the risk of developing it. These include:
- Chronic inflammation or infection of the urethra, such as from sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or urinary tract infections (UTIs).
- Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, a type of STD that can cause genital warts and cervical cancer.
- Urethral stricture, a narrowing or blockage of the urethra due to scar tissue or injury.
- Urethral mass or diverticulum, a growth or outpouching of the urethra that can cause irritation or infection.
- Race, as urethral cancer is more common in Black people than in other races.
- Personal or family history of bladder cancer, as some types of urethral cancer are similar to bladder cancer.
What are the symptoms of urethral cancer?
Urethral cancer may not cause any symptoms in its early stages, making it difficult to detect. As the tumor grows, it may cause some of the following signs and symptoms:
- A lump or growth near or on the urethra.
- Pain or bleeding when urinating.
- Difficulty emptying the bladder or passing urine.
- Frequent or urgent urination or feeling the need to urinate without passing urine.
- Low flow or dribbling of urine.
- Discharge or bleeding from the urethra.
- Urinary incontinence, or loss of bladder control.
- Enlarged lymph nodes in the groin area, near the tumor.
If you notice any of these symptoms, you should see your doctor as soon as possible for evaluation and diagnosis.
How is urethral cancer diagnosed?
To diagnose urethral cancer, your doctor will perform a physical exam and ask you about your medical history and symptoms. They may also order some tests to confirm the diagnosis and determine the extent and stage of the cancer. These tests may include:
- Urinalysis, a test that checks for blood, bacteria, and other substances in your urine.
- Urine cytology, a test that examines your urine under a microscope for abnormal cells.
- Cystoscopy, a procedure that uses a thin tube with a light and camera (cystoscope) to look inside your bladder and urethra for tumors or other abnormalities.
- Biopsy, a procedure that involves taking a small sample of tissue from your urethra or tumor for microscopic examination and testing.
- Imaging tests, such as ultrasound, X-ray, CT scan, MRI scan, or PET scan, to create detailed pictures of your urinary tract and other organs and tissues in your body.
Based on these tests, your doctor will assign a stage to your urethral cancer. The stage indicates how large the tumor is and how far it has spread. The stages range from 0 (in situ) to IV (metastatic). The higher the stage number, the more advanced the cancer is.
Treatment Of urethral cancer
The treatment of urethral cancer depends on several factors, such as the type, stage, location, size, and grade of the tumor; your age, health, and preferences; and the potential benefits and risks of each option. The main treatment options for urethral cancer are:
- Surgery: This is the most common treatment for urethral cancer. During surgery, your doctor will remove the tumor from your urethra along with some surrounding healthy tissue. Depending on how much tissue is removed, you may need reconstructive surgery to repair your urethra or create a new way for urine to exit your body (urinary diversion). Surgery may also involve removing nearby lymph nodes if they are affected by cancer.
- Radiation therapy: This treatment uses high-energy rays or particles to kill cancer cells or shrink tumors. Radiation therapy can be given externally (from a machine outside your body) or internally (by placing radioactive sources inside or near your tumor). Radiation therapy can be used alone or in combination with surgery or chemotherapy to treat urethral cancer.
- Chemotherapy: This treatment uses drugs to stop the growth or spread of cancer cells. Chemotherapy can be given by mouth, injection, or infusion into a vein. Chemotherapy can be used alone or in combination with surgery or radiation therapy to treat urethral cancer.
Your doctor will discuss with you the best treatment plan for your specific case and explain the possible outcomes, side effects, and complications of each option.
What is Targeted Therapy for Urethral Cancer?
Targeted therapy is a type of treatment that uses drugs or other substances to target specific molecules that are involved in the growth and spread of cancer cells. Targeted therapy can block the action of these molecules or destroy them, thereby stopping or slowing down the cancer.
Targeted therapy is different from chemotherapy, which affects all rapidly dividing cells in the body, both normal and cancerous. Targeted therapy is more selective and may cause less harm to normal cells. However, targeted therapy can also cause side effects, such as skin problems, fatigue, diarrhea, or liver damage.
Targeted therapy is not widely used for urethral cancer, because there are not many drugs that have been proven to be effective against this type of cancer. However, some targeted therapies that are used for other cancers, such as bladder cancer or kidney cancer, may also work for some cases of urethral cancer.
Some examples of targeted therapies that may be used for urethral cancer are:
Atezolizumab (Tecentriq): This is a type of immunotherapy that helps the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells. It targets a protein called PD-L1 that is found on some cancer cells and prevents them from being detected by the immune system. Atezolizumab is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of advanced urothelial carcinoma, which is a type of urethral cancer that affects the cells that line the urethra.
Pembrolizumab (Keytruda): This is another type of immunotherapy that targets PD-L1 and helps the immune system fight cancer cells. Pembrolizumab is also approved by the FDA for the treatment of advanced urothelial carcinoma.
Erdafitinib (Balversa): This is a type of tyrosine kinase inhibitor that blocks a protein called FGFR3 that is involved in cell growth and division. Erdafitinib is approved by the FDA for the treatment of advanced urothelial carcinoma that has a mutation or alteration in the FGFR3 gene.
Enfortumab vedotin (Padcev): This is a type of antibody-drug conjugate that combines an antibody that targets a protein called Nectin-4 that is found on some urothelial carcinoma cells with a drug that kills cancer cells. Enfortumab vedotin is approved by the FDA for the treatment of advanced urothelial carcinoma that has progressed after chemotherapy and immunotherapy.
Targeted therapy may be given alone or in combination with other treatments, such as surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy. The choice of targeted therapy depends on several factors, such as:
- The type, grade, and stage of the cancer
- The location and size of the tumor
- The genetic or molecular features of the cancer
- The availability and accessibility of the drugs
- The patient’s age, health, and preferences
Your doctor will discuss with you the best targeted therapy option for your situation. You may also be offered to participate in a clinical trial, which is a research study that tests new targeted therapies or methods for urethral cancer.
Targeted therapy is a promising treatment for urethral cancer that can target specific molecules that drive the cancer. However, targeted therapy is not a cure for urethral cancer and it may not work for everyone. Therefore, it is important to follow your doctor’s instructions and report any side effects or changes in your condition.
Also Read: Endometrial Cancer: Symptoms, Risks, And Treatments
How can urethral cancer be prevented?
There is no sure way to prevent urethral cancer, but you can take some steps to reduce your risk of developing it. These include:
- Practicing safe sex by using condoms and limiting your number of sexual partners.
- Getting vaccinated against HPV if you are eligible and have not been infected before.
- Avoiding smoking or quitting if you do smoke, as smoking can damage your urinary tract and increase your risk of cancer.
- Drinking plenty of fluids and urinating regularly to flush out your bladder and urethra.
- Seeking medical attention if you have any symptoms of infection or inflammation in your urinary tract, such as pain, burning, or discharge.
- Having regular check-ups and screenings for urethral cancer if you have a history of bladder cancer or other risk factors.
What is the outlook for urethral cancer?
The outlook for urethral cancer varies depending on the type, stage, location, size, and grade of the tumor; your age, health, and response to treatment; and the availability and quality of medical care. In general, the earlier the cancer is detected and treated, the better the chances of survival and recovery. However, urethral cancer can recur or spread to other parts of the body even after treatment, so it is important to follow up with your doctor regularly and report any new or worsening symptoms.
Urethral cancer is a rare and serious condition that requires prompt diagnosis and treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about urethral cancer, you should talk to your doctor or a specialist in urology or oncology. They can provide you with more information and guidance on how to cope with this disease and improve your quality of life.
According to the American Cancer Society Trusted Source , the 5-year relative survival rates for people with urethral cancer are:
- 83% for localized cancer (cancer that has not spread beyond the urethra)
- 54% for regional cancer (cancer that has spread to nearby tissues or lymph nodes)
- 31% for distant cancer (cancer that has spread to distant organs)
These numbers are based on data from people who were diagnosed with urethral cancer between 2010 and 2016. They are only estimates and do not reflect your individual situation.
Your doctor can give you more information about your specific prognosis based on your test results and treatment plan.
Conclusion
Urethral cancer is a rare but serious disease that can affect your urinary and sexual function. However, with early diagnosis and proper treatment, you can improve your chances of survival and quality of life.
In this blog post, we have covered everything you need to know about urethral cancer, including its symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment, and outlook. We have also discussed some of the targeted therapies that may be used for urethral cancer, which can target specific molecules that are involved in the growth and spread of cancer cells.
We hope this blog post has helped you learn more about urethral cancer and what you can do about it. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact your doctor or a urologist.
