Stages

It is important to know the stage of a cancer in order to plan treatment.

STAGES OF URETHRAL CANCER

Urethral cancer is staged and treated based on the part of the urethra that is affected and how deeply the tumor has spread into tissue around the urethra. Urethral cancer can be described as anterior or posterior.

Anterior urethral cancer

In anterior urethral cancer, the tumors are not deep and they affect the part of the urethra that is closest to the outside of the body.

Posterior urethral cancer

In posterior urethral cancer, the tumors are deep and affect the part of the urethra closest to the bladder. In women, the entire urethra may be affected. In men, the prostate gland may be affected.

The following stages are also used to describe urethral cancer:

Stage 0 (Carcinoma in Situ)

In stage 0, cancer is found only in the inside lining of the urethra. Stage 0 is also called carcinoma in situ.

Stage A

In stage A, cancer has spread into the layer of tissue beneath the lining of the urethra.

Stage B

In stage B, cancer is found in the muscle around the urethra. In men, the penile tissue surrounding the urethra may be affected.

Stage C

In stage C, cancer has spread beyond the tissue surrounding the urethra, and:

• in women, may be found in the vagina, vaginal lips, or nearby muscle;
• in men, may be found in the penis or in nearby muscle.

Stage D

Stage D is divided into stage D1 and stage D2, based on where the cancer has spread.

• In stage D1, cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes in the pelvis and groin.
• In stage D2, cancer has spread to distant lymph nodes or to other organs in the body, such as the lungs, liver, and bone.

Urethral cancer may be associated with invasive bladder cancer.

A small number of patients who have bladder cancer are also diagnosed with cancer of the urethra, or will develop it in the future.

Reference:

National Cancer Institute, USA.