[Hormone disorders and HPV infection. Risk factors for tumors of the urethra?].

Overall, epithelial growths in the urethra are rare, and present as benign or malignant lesions at different periods of life; their incidence varies between the sexes. Among the benign urethral growths, condylomata in younger men, and urethral caruncles in elderly women are relatively common. In contrast, cancer of the urethra is relatively rare and shows a clear predilection for female sex (4:1). In patients with persistent urethral and urination problems, with or without macrohematuria, the rare urethral carcinoma should be included in the differential diagnostic considerations, in particular in elderly patients. Only when cancer is suspected early on and confirmed endoscopically and histologically, thus allowing rapid initiation of urological-oncological therapy, is there a good chance of a cure.