Urethral Cancer

Urethral cancer is a rare cancer that begins in your urethra, which is the tube that carries urine from the bladder to outside the body. There are three common types of Urethral Cancer, including Squamous cell carcinoma, Transitional cell carcinoma, and Adenocarcinoma. At the UVM Cancer Center our team of urologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, pathologists, nurses, and patient support specialists work together under one roof to offer the best, most innovative treatment options for Urethral cancer.

Urethral Cancer Care at UVM Medical Center

Our group of specialists at the University of Vermont Cancer Center offer the best Urethral Cancer care:  

• The latest technology - Because the University of Vermont Cancer Center is part of a university medical center, we offer you and your family access to the latest treatments and technologies for treating Urethral Cancer, including the precision of robotic surgery.
• Experienced, Trusted Care - Most of our cancer doctors regularly dedicate part of their time to developing more effective means of discovering and treating cancer. This means that your physician has some of the most up-to-date information, which translates into better care for you and your family.
• Teamwork - Our physicians and other support staff work together as a team, providing expert care. A team of specialists that include urologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, pathologists, nurses, and patient support specialists works to keep you in the loop on all of your treatment options.

Urethral Cancer Diagnosis

Our urologists are specially trained in advanced technology to help diagnose Urethral cancer. Tests may include:

• Ureteroscopy. This procedure uses a lighted, magnifying instrument (ureteroscope) to check the tube that connects the kidney to the bladder (ureter) and the area at the center of the kidney where urine collects before it funnels into the ureter (renal pelvis) for abnormal areas.
• Biopsy. Sometimes ureteroscopy includes a biopsy, which is removing a sample of urethral, bladder and/or prostate gland tissue for analysis in a laboratory by a pathologist.
• A urine test and/or urine cytology. A urine sample is analyzed under a microscope to check for cancer cells.
• Imaging, such as:
  • Intravenous Pyelogram (IVP)
  • Computed Tomography (CT or CAT) scan
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
• Pelvic exam. The doctor or nurse will examine a woman's reproductive and other organs in the pelvis including the vagina, cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, and rectum.
• Digital rectal examination.
• Complete blood count.

Treatments for Urethral Cancer

We treat Urethral Cancer using a comprehensive team approach, where our highly trained physicians, knowledgeable nurses and support staff come together to provide personalized care that is on the cutting edge of the technology. Common treatments for Urethral Cancer include:

• Surgery:
  • Robotic Surgery. Expert surgeons use advanced technology to perform a minimally invasive, more precise operation than traditional, open surgery allows. Robotic surgery offers several potential benefits compared with other treatment methods.
  • Laparoscopic Surgery. Laparoscopy is a surgery that uses a thin, lighted tube put through a cut (incision) in the belly to look at the abdominal organs or the female pelvic organs.
• Chemotherapy treats cancer by destroying cancer cells using different types of medication.
• Radiation Therapy uses high-energy beams, such as X-rays and protons, to destroy cancer cells.
• Clinical Trials. The UVM Medical Center has a history of clinical trial experience. Clinical trials are research studies that test the newest cancer treatments and new ways of using existing cancer treatments. Clinical trials can't guarantee a cure. Ask your doctor about enrolling in a clinical trial. Together you can weigh the potential benefits and risks.

Related Conditions

There are several conditions related to Urethral Cancer, including:

• Bladder cancer
• Frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs)
• Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including human papillomavirus (HPV), especially HPV type 16
• Extended industrial chemical exposure