Korean J Urol.  2008 Aug;49(8):759-761.

Female Urethral Adenocarcinoma: An Unusual Cause of Acute Urinary Retention

• Kim YJ
• Huh JS

Abstract

Two women were referred for evaluation of new-onset urinary retention of unclear etiology. The results of the urodynamic study confirmed bladder outlet obstruction. The evaluations revealed a bladder neck mass with bilateral hydronephrosis on radiologic studies. Cystoscopy verified a urethral mass and transurethral biopsy was conducted. The pathology report showed a urethral adenocarcinoma. One patient underwent pelvic exenteration and ileal conduit, but another patient refused the operation

Keyword

Female; Bladder outlet obstruction; Urethra; Carcinoma

MeSH Terms

Adenocarcinoma
Biopsy
Cystoscopy
Female
Humans
Hydronephrosis
Neck
Pelvic Exenteration
Urethra
Urinary Bladder
Urinary Bladder Neck Obstruction
Urinary Diversion
Urinary Retention
Urodynamics

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) shows a mass surrounding the proximal urethra with diverticulum.

• 

  Fig. 2 Upon gross histopatholologic examination, the tumor was confined largely to the periurethral region.

• 

  Fig. 3 Moderate differentiated urethral mucinous adenocarcinoma.

Reference

1. Gheiler EL, Tefilli MV, Tigert R, de Oliveira JG, Pontes JE, Wood DP Jr. Management of primary urethral cancer. Urology. 1998. 52:487–493.

2. Leach GE, Trockman BA. Walsh PC, Retik AB, Vaughan ED, Wein AJ, Kavoussi LR, Novick AC, editors. Surgery for fistulas and diverticulum. Campbell's urology. 1997. 7th ed. Philadelphia: Saunders;1141–1151.

3. Murphy DP, Pantuck AJ, Amenta PS, Das KM, Cummings KB, Keeney GL, et al. Female urethral adenocarcinoma: immunohistochemical evidence of more than 1 tissue of origin. J Urol. 1999. 161:1881–1884.

4. Benson RC Jr, Tunca JC, Buchler DA, Uehling DT. Primary carcinoma of the female urethra. Gynecol Oncol. 1982. 14:313–318.

5. Grigsby PW, Herr HW. Vogelzang NJ, Scardino PT, Shipley WU, editors. Urethral tumors. Comprehensive textbook of genitourinary oncology. 1996. Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins;1117–1123.

6. Mayer R, Fowler JE Jr, Clayton M. Localized urethral cancer in women. Cancer. 1987. 60:1548–1551.

7. Meis JM, Ayala AG, Johnson DE. Adenocarcinoma of the urethra in women. A clinicopathologic study. Cancer. 1987. 60:1038–1052.