Urethral Cancer

Urethral cancer is a disease in which malignant cells form in the tissues of the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder to outside the body. Urethral cancer is a rare cancer that occurs more often in men than in women.

There are different types of urethral cancer that begin in cells that line the urethra, including squamous cell carcinoma, transitional cell carcinoma, and adenocarcinoma. Urethral cancer can metastasize quickly to tissues around the urethra and is often found in nearby lymph nodes by the time it is diagnosed.

A history of bladder cancer can affect the risk of urethral cancer. Urethral cancers appear to be associated with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including human papillomavirus (HPV) infection.

Urethral Cancer Treatment (PDQ®)

Source: National Cancer Institute