What is urethral tumor
Urethral tumors are relatively common tumors in the urogenital system. More than 75% of patients present with hematuria as the first symptom. The degree of anemia caused by hematuria is generally proportional to the severity of the tumor. Frequent urination, dysuria, or nocturia may indicate necrosis or infiltration of the bladder, resembling symptoms of cystitis. Tumors located at the bladder neck or pedunculated tumors can cause urinary obstruction or urinary retention. Urinary tract obstruction caused by infection can lead to fever and pyuria.
Urethral tumors include male urethral tumors and female urethral tumors. The primary sites of male urethral tumors vary, with the most common being transitional cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. The causes are related to urethritis, urethral stenosis, and repeated urethral dilation. However, when the tumor invades the penis and perineum, it can metastasize to the inguinal lymph nodes. Urethral tumors rarely occur blood metastasis. In the late stage, the most common distant metastasis is lung, followed by liver and stomach metastasis.
Male urethral tumors are generally treated for urethral obstruction, mass, urethral perineal abscess, urine extrusion, urethral fistula, and urethral discharge of secretions. Some patients have pain, hematuria, or blood seminal. Female urethral tumors are more common in elderly women, and the usual symptoms are urethral bleeding and hematuria. Other symptoms include frequent urination, dysuria, burning sensation during urination, urinary obstruction or pain, and locally visible or palpable masses. The necrosis, ulceration, and infection of the tumor may result in yellow or bloody discharge with an odor from the urethra or vagina. Late symptoms include weight loss, pelvic pain, urethral perineal abscess, urinary incontinence, urethrovaginal fistula, or urinary retention.