Primary urethral carcinoma: Recommendations of the oncology committee of the French Urology Association

Fr J Urol. 2024 Jun;34(5):102606. doi: 10.1016/j.fjurol.2024.102606. Epub 2024 Mar 23.

Abstract

Primary urethral carcinoma (PUC) is defined as a tumor process arising within the urethra, with no history of other urinary tract localization or synchronous tumor of the urinary tract. The most common histological types are urothelial carcinoma (UC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and adenocarcinoma (AC). In men, UC predominates, while AC is rare. In women, AC affects around one in two patients, while EC and UC are equally divided between the remaining cases. Diagnosis is often delayed, and requires endoscopic examination with biopsies. MRI is the gold standard for local staging. FDG-PET scan can help in cases of doubt about regional or distant extension. The prognosis remains unfavorable despite aggressive surgical treatment. Multimodal management combining surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy appears to improve prognosis in severe forms.

Keywords: Adenocarcinoma; Squamous cell carcinoma; Urethra; Urethral carcinoma; Urothelial carcinoma.

Publication types

  • Practice Guideline
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / diagnosis
  • Adenocarcinoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Adenocarcinoma / pathology
  • Adenocarcinoma / therapy
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / diagnosis
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / diagnostic imaging
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / therapy
  • Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / diagnosis
  • Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / diagnostic imaging
  • Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / therapy
  • Female
  • France / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Prognosis
  • Urethral Neoplasms* / diagnosis
  • Urethral Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Urethral Neoplasms* / therapy