Management of primary adenocarcinoma of the female urethra: Report of two cases and review of the literature

Wang,Xinjun; Bai,Peiming; Su,Hanzhong; Luo,Guangcheng; Zhong,Zhaohui; Zhao,Xiaokun

doi:10.3892/ol.2012.886

Management of primary adenocarcinoma of the female urethra: Report of two cases and review of the literature

Authors:
- Xinjun Wang
- Peiming Bai
- Hanzhong Su
- Guangcheng Luo
- Zhaohui Zhong
- Xiaokun Zhao
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Affiliations: Department of Urology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, P.R. China, Department of Urology, Zhongshan Hospital, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361004, P.R. China, Department of Urology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, P.R. China
Published online on: August 29, 2012 https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2012.886
Pages: 951-954

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Abstract

Primary adenocarcinoma of the female urethra is rare and only a few retrospective cases have been published. The origin of urethral adenocarcinomas remains unclear. Certain authors have suggested that urethral adenocarcinomas in females originate at the periurethral Skene's glands. We report one case of urethral adenocarcinoma of the proximal urethra in a 44-year-old female who presented with painless urethral bleeding. Abdominal and pelvic CT scan with contrast and chest radiology were unremarkable. Biopsy of the mass revealed adenocarcinoma of the urethra. The patient was treated with partial urethrectomy and was free of disease for more than 5 years. We also present another rare case of mucinous adenocarcinoma in a 52-year-old female who complained of an enlarged urethral mass. Pelvic MRI revealed a tumor surrounding the whole urethra and bilateral inguinal lymph nodes. A puncture biopsy later revealed that the tumor was mucinous adenocarcinoma. Anterior pelvic exenteration with pelvic and bilateral lymph node dissection was performed and chemotherapy was administered. The patient was followed up for 12 months and did not experience local recurrence or distant metastasis. In conclusion, for the diagnosis of urethral cancer, a biopsy is necessary for any suspicious urethral lesions. MRI is recommended for tumor staging. Small, superficial, distal urethral tumors may be treated with excision of the distal urethra. For advanced female urethral cancer, a combination of chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery is recommended for optimal local and distant disease control. Regular follow-up is required in these patients.

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