Learn About Cancer »Types of Cancer »Genitourinary Cancer

What is Cancer of the Urethra?

Urethral cancer is a disease in which cancerous cells form in the tissues of the urethra. The urethra is the tube that carries urine from the bladder to outside the body. Urethral cancer is a rare genitourinary cancer that occurs more often in women than in men.

Cancer of the urethra may accompany tumors of the bladder. Rarely, tumors of the urethra occur in the absence of tumors elsewhere in the urinary tract. These are more frequently associated with chronic infection and scar tissue.

Treatment Options for Urethral Cancer

Urethral carcinoma may require aggressive surgical removal or less invasive procedures, depending on the location, stage and type of tumor. In these cases, careful surgical planning and a combination of therapies may preserve the bladder and its function. In females, this type of cancer may be related to a pocket or diverticulum which develops in the urethra as a result of chronic infection.

Support Groups

Fox Chase social workers offer a monthly support group for patients who have had a urostomy.