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Primary urethral carcinoma in females: an epidemiologic study on demographical factors, histological types, tumour stage and survival

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Abstract

Purpose

To obtain insight into demographical factors, histology and survival rates of females diagnosed with primary urethral cancer and to determine favourable treatment.

Methods

Data from 91 females with primary urethral carcinoma, age varying from 15 to 85 years, registered between 1989 and 2008 at the National Cancer Registry of the Netherlands were used for this study. Demographical factors, incidence rate, morphology and tumour stage according to TNM classification were analysed. Kaplan–Meier survival curves were constructed and stratified by stage, histological type and treatment modality.

Results

The overall crude annual incidence was 0.7 per million women with a peak incidence in the age group of 80–84 years. Analysis of the morphology showed urothelial cell carcinoma (UCC) in 45 %, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in 19 %, adenocarcinoma (AC) in 29 %, and unknown or undifferentiated carcinoma accounted for 6 %. Almost half of patients (46 %) had advanced disease at time of diagnosis and was mainly treated with surgery and/or radiotherapy. The 5-year survival rates of stage 0–II, stage III and stage IV were 67, 53 and 17 %, respectively. The 5-year survival rates of SCC, UCC and AC were 64, 61 and 31 %, respectively.

Conclusions

Female primary urethral carcinoma is a rare condition, and the majority of patients were aged above 65 years. Almost half of patients have advanced disease upon diagnosis. TNM stage and histological type of disease are the most determining factors for survival. Extended surgery with or without radiotherapy seems to be the most favourable treatment. Awareness and early diagnosis are important to improve survival.

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Abbreviations

SCC:

Squamous cell carcinoma

UCC:

Urothelial cell carcinoma

AC:

Adenocarcinoma

undiffC:

Undifferentiated carcinoma

HPV:

Human papilloma virus

MRI:

Magnetic resonance imaging

CT:

Computerized tomography

KM-curve:

Kaplan–Meier curve

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Urology, Spaarne Ziekenhuis Hoofddorp, Spaarnepoort 1, 2134 TM, Hoofddorp, The Netherlands

    Joris W. Derksen

  2. Comprehensive Cancer Centre Amsterdam (IKA), Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Otto Visser

  3. Department of Pathology, St Lucas Andreas Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Guy Brutel de la Rivière

  4. Department of Urology, Free University Medical Center, Free University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Eric J. Meuleman

  5. Department of Urology, St Lucas Andreas Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Eddi A. Heldeweg & Brunolf W. Lagerveld

  6. Department of Urology, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Eddi A. Heldeweg & Brunolf W. Lagerveld

Authors
  1. Joris W. Derksen
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  2. Otto Visser
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  3. Guy Brutel de la Rivière
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  4. Eric J. Meuleman
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  5. Eddi A. Heldeweg
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  6. Brunolf W. Lagerveld
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Correspondence to Joris W. Derksen.

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Derksen, J.W., Visser, O., de la Rivière, G.B. et al. Primary urethral carcinoma in females: an epidemiologic study on demographical factors, histological types, tumour stage and survival. World J Urol 31, 147–153 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00345-012-0882-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00345-012-0882-5

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