Female urethral carcinoma: an analysis of treatment outcome and a plea for a standardized management strategy

Br J Urol. 1998 Dec;82(6):835-41. doi: 10.1046/j.1464-410x.1998.00878.x.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate our experience with primary carcinomas of the female urethra, by analysing the impact of tumour variables and treatment on overall, disease-specific, local recurrence- and metastasis-free survival.

Patients and methods: Between 1958 and 1994, 72 women (median age 60 years, mean 59, range 21-84) with primary urethral carcinoma were identified. They were followed for a median (range) of 85 (0-384) months. The patients were stratified by stage, nodal status, histology, treatment, type of surgery, site of disease, year of diagnosis and smoking habit.

Results: In a univariate analysis, stage, nodal status, type of surgery and site of the disease were important factors for survival and recurrence. In a multivariate analysis, primary stage, nodal status and site of disease were independent predictors of survival.

Conclusion: Current modalities of treatment are ineffective for local control and survival; new treatment strategies are needed for female urethral cancers.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Brachytherapy / methods
  • Clinical Protocols
  • Combined Modality Therapy / methods
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
  • Risk Factors
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Urethral Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Urethral Neoplasms* / radiotherapy
  • Urethral Neoplasms* / surgery