Tumors of the urethra in men and women

A study of urethral tumors in men and women has been made. The 3 most important tumors involving the male urethra are: 1. those arising in the meatus and parameatal area; 2. squamous cell cancer of the membranous urethra; and 3. transitional cell cancer of the prostatic urethra. The latter 2 respond poorly to any and all forms of therapy regardless of extent of ablative surgical attempt or radiation therapy dosage. Tire' latter prostatic urethral tumor is also hormone-resistant. The most common tumors of the female urethra are epidermoid carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. Tumors of the distal urethra may be successfully treated by partial urethrectomy or by irradiation. For proximal or entire urethral tumors, the prognosis with radiation or surgery alone is poor; combined radiation and surgery is preferable.