[Cancer of the urethra in women: experience of the National Institute of Cancer of Brazil: 1992-1997].

OBJECTIVE

Describe the results of surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy for treatment of primary malignant neoplasms of female urethra.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

Since 1982, 31 patients with urethral cancer were evaluated at our institution (follow-up ranging from 0 to 127 months). Ten patients were treated with external beam irradiation and 1 patient received preoperative therapy after surgery. Two patients refused treatment and 1 received chemotherapy. Three patients presented with disseminated metastatic disease at the first examination received exclusively palliative treatment.

RESULTS

Five patients have survived from 3 to 10 years following treatment without recurrence. Of 31 patients 18 developed distant metastases during the first 24 months of follow-up irrespective of treatment employed.

CONCLUSION

With exception of primary melanoma, prognosis was not related to histologic features. Patients who underwent surgery and radiotherapy had a better survival rate than did those who received radiotherapy alone. Total urethrectomy with appendico-vesicostomy can be an alternative surgical method for entire urethral ivnasive lesions without cystourethrectomy and preserving urinary continence.