Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Urethral diverticular carcinoma: an overview of current trends in diagnosis and management

  • Urology - Review
  • Published:
International Urology and Nephrology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Aims

To review the management of female urethral diverticular tumours, and rationalize treatment protocols.

Methods

A literature search through Medline, Psychoinfo, EMBASE and the Cochrane library from 1951 was performed for all reports and series of urethral diverticular tumours.

Results

A total of one male patient and 75 female patients were reported, with data on demographics, presentation, diagnosis, treatment modalities, recurrence rates and mortality. There is considerable variation in the method of reporting outcomes, and heterogeneity in treatment methods.

Conclusion

There appears to be no current consensus in the management of these rare tumours. There is an urgent need to establish an international registry of rare tumours to help formulate guidelines on management of such tumours. We propose a management algorithm based on the evidence gathered from review of the published literature.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Gonzalez MO, Harrison ML, Boileau MA (1985) Carcinoma in diverticulum of female urethra. Urology 26:328–332. doi:10.1016/0090-4295(85)90177-3

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Maier U, Dorfinger K, Susani M (1998) Clear cell adenocarcinoma of the female urethra. J Urol 160:492–493. doi:10.1016/S0022-5347(01)62934-3

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Hey H (1805) Practical observation in surgery. Humphreys, Philadelphia

    Google Scholar 

  4. Hamilton JD, Leach WB (1951) Adenocarcinoma arising in a diverticulum of the female urethra. AMA Arch Pathol 51:90–98

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Rajan N, Tucci P, Mallouh C et al (1993) Carcinoma in female urethral diverticulum: case reports and review of management. J Urol 150:1911–1914

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Clayton M, Siami P, Guinan P (1992) Urethral diverticular carcinoma. Cancer 70:665–670. doi:10.1002/1097-0142(19920801)70:3<665::AID-CNCR2820700321>3.0.CO;2-H

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Seballos RM, Rich RR (1995) Clear cell adenocarcinoma arising from a urethral diverticulum. J Urol 153:1914–1915. doi:10.1016/S0022-5347(01)67352-X

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Liew LC, Kesavan E, Thamboo TP et al (2003) Squamous cell carcinoma in a male urethral diverticulum. BJU Int 92(suppl. 3):e29. doi:10.1046/j.1464-410X.92.s1.6.x

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Davis BL, Robinson DG (1970) Diverticula of the female urethra: assay of 120 cases. J Urol 104:850–853

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Shalev M, Mistry S, Kernen K et al (2002) Squamous cell carcinoma in a female urethral diverticulum. Urology 59:773. doi:10.1016/S0090-4295(02)01537-6

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Keefe B, Warshauer DM, Tucker MS et al (1991) Diverticula of the female urethra: diagnosis by endovaginal and transperineal sonography. AJR Am J Roentgenol 156:1195–1197

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Hickey N, Murphy J, Herschorn S (2000) Carcinoma in a urethral diverticulum: magnetic resonance imaging and sonographic appearance. Urology 55:588–589. doi:10.1016/S0090-4295(99)00584-1

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Hricak H, Secaf E, Buckley DW et al (1991) Female urethra: MR imaging. Radiology 178:527–535

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Neitlich JD, Foster HE Jr, Glickman MG et al (1998) Detection of urethral diverticula in women: comparison of a high resolution fast spin echo technique with double balloon urethrography. J Urol 159:408–410. doi:10.1016/S0022-5347(01)63934-X

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Eilber KS, Raz S (2003) Benign cystic lesions of the vagina: a literature review. J Urol 170:717–722. doi:10.1097/01.ju.0000062543.99821.a2

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Evans KJ, McCarthy MP, Sands JP (1981) Adenocarcinoma of a female urethral diverticulum: case report and review of the literature. J Urol 126:124–126

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Grabstald H, Hilaris B, Henschke U et al (1966) Cancer of the female urethra. JAMA 197:835–842. doi:10.1001/jama.197.11.835

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Srinivas V, Dow D (1983) Transitional cell carcinoma in a urethral diverticulum with a calculus. J Urol 129:372–373

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Awakura Y, Nonomura M, Itoh N et al (2003) Adenocarcinoma of the female urethral diverticulum treated by multimodality therapy. Int J Urol 10:281–283. doi:10.1046/j.1442-2042.2003.00613.x

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Davis R, Peterson AC, Lance R (2003) Clear cell adenocarcinoma in a female urethral diverticulum. Urology 61:644. doi:10.1016/S0090-4295(02)02407-X

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Brown EW (1956) Diverticulum of the female urethra: report of 23 cases with adenocarcinoma in one. South Med J 49:982–988

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Hinman F Jr, Cohlan WR (1960) Gartner’s duct carcinoma in a urethral diverticulum. J Urol 83:414–415

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Wishard WN Jr, Nourse MH, Mertz JH (1963) Carcinoma in a diverticulum of the female urethra. J Urol 89:431–432

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Ney C, Miller HL, Ochs D (1971) Adenocarcinoma in a diverticulum of the female urethra: a case report of mucous adenocarcinoma with a summary of the literature. J Urol 106:874–877

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Torres SA, Quattlebaum RB (1972) Carcinoma in a urethral diverticulum. South Med J 65:1374–1376

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Rhamy RK, Boldus RA, Allison RC et al (1973) Therapeutic modalities in adenocarcinoma of the female urethra. J Urol 109:638–640

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Klotz PG (1974) Carcinoma of Skene’s gland associated with urethral diverticulum: a case report. J Urol 112:487–488

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Cea PC, Ward JN, Lavengood RW Jr et al (1977) Mesonephric adenocarcinomas in urethral diverticula. Urology 10:58–61. doi:10.1016/0090-4295(77)90044-9

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Marshall S, HIsrch K (1977) Carcinoma within urethral diverticula. Urology 10:161–163. doi:10.1016/0090-4295(77)90020-6

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Allen R, Nelson RP (1978) Primary urethral malignancy: review of 22 cases. South Med J 71:547–550

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Murayama T, Komatsu H, Asano M et al (1978) Mesonephric adenocarcinoma of the urethra in a woman: report of a case. J Urol 120:500–501

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Peterson LJ, Matsumoto LM (1978) Nephrogenic adenoma in urethral diverticulum. Urology 11:193–195. doi:10.1016/0090-4295(78)90109-7

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Reheis JP, Goldstein IS, Mogil RA (1981) Papillary adenocarcinoma arising in a urethral diverticulum accompanied by adenocarcinoma of the bladder: case report and review of the literature. J Urol 126:695–697

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Tesluk H (1981) Primary adenocarcinoma of female urethra associated with diverticula. Urology 17:197–199. doi:10.1016/0090-4295(81)90241-7

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Tanabe ET, Mazur MT, Schaeffer AJ (1982) Clear cell adenocarcinoma of the female urethra: clinical and ultrastructural study suggesting a unique neoplasm. Cancer 49:372–378. doi:10.1002/1097-0142(19820115)49:2<372::AID-CNCR2820490227>3.0.CO;2-E

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Schnoy N, Leistenschneider W (1982) Tumor of mesonephric origin in a diverticulum of the urethra. An ultrastructural study. Virchows Arch A Pathol Anat Histol 397:335–345. doi:10.1007/BF00496574

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Tines SC, Bigongiari LR, Weigel JW (1982) Carcinoma in diverticulum of the female urethra. AJR Am J Roentgenol 138:582–585

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Patanaphan V, Prempree T, Sewchand W et al (1983) Adenocarcinoma arising in female urethral diverticulum. Urology 22:259–264. doi:10.1016/S0090-4295(83)80009-0

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Godec CJ, Anderson WR, Cass AS et al (1984) Urinary retention in female patients induced by adenocarcinoma of urethra. Urology 23:256–259. doi:10.1016/S0090-4295(84)90041-4

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Noguchi S, Ida T (1983) Carcinoma in diverticulum of female urethra—a case report and review of the literature. Hinyokika Kiyo 29:921–929

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Jimenez de Leon J, Luz Picazo M, Mora M et al (1989) Intra-diverticular adenocarcinoma of the urethra in women. Arch Esp Urol 42:931–935

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Klutke CG, Akdman EI, Brown JJ (1995) Nephrogenic adenoma arising from a urethral diverticulum: magnetic resonance features. Urology 45:323–325. doi:10.1016/0090-4295(95)80026-3

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Geisler E, Basu A, Abughaida A et al (1998) Mesonephric carcinoma arising from a female urethral diverticulum. Br J Urol 81:637–638

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Davis JW, Schellhammer PF, Schlossberg SM (1999) Conservative surgical therapy for penile and urethral carcinoma. Urology 53:386–392. doi:10.1016/S0090-4295(98)00483-X

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Ghoniem G, Khater U, Hairston J et al (2004) Urinary retention caused by adenocarcinoma arising in recurrent urethral diverticulum. Int Urogynecol J Pelvic Floor Dysfunct 15:363–365

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Wishard WN Jr, Nourse MH (1952) Carcinoma in diverticulum of female urethra. J Urol 68:320–323

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Roth AA (1955) Carcinoma of the female urethra. Ohio Med 51:872–874

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Melnick JL, Birdsall TM (1960) Carcinoma of diverticulum of female urethra. Am J Obstet Gynecol 80:347–352

    Google Scholar 

  49. Faulkner JW (1959) Primary carcinoma in a diverticulum of the female urethra: review of the literature and report of a case. J Urol 82:337–340

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. Graf EC, Callahan DH, Sozer I (1962) A study of tumors of the female urethra. J Urol 88:64–70

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. Thompson IM, Bivings FG (1962) Aspects of urethral carcinoma. J Urol 87:891–895

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. Rosenfield LJ, Fruchtman B (1964) Carcinoma in diverticulum of the female urethra. Obstet Gynecol 24:924–927

    Google Scholar 

  53. McLoughlin MG (1975) Carcinoma in situ in urethral diverticulum: pitfalls of marsupialization alone. Urology 6:343. doi:10.1016/0090-4295(75)90761-X

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  54. Bracken RB, Johnson DE, Miller LS et al (1976) Primary carcinoma of the female urethra. J Urol 116:188–192

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  55. DeToledo WP, Montellato NI, Arap S et al (1978) Carcinoma in diverticulum of female urethra. Urol Int 33:393–398

    Article  Google Scholar 

  56. Huvos AG, Muggia FM, Markewitz M (1969) Carcinoma of female urethra. Occurrence with hyperparathyroidism. N Y State J Med 69:2042–2045

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  57. Oliva E, Young RH (1996) Clear cell adenocarcinoma of the urethra: a clinicopathologic analysis of 19 cases. Mod Pathol 9:513–520

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  58. Niemiec TR, Mercer LJ, Stephens JK et al (1989) Unusual urethral diverticulum lined by colonic epithelium with Paneth cell metaplasia. Am J Obstet Gynecol 160:186–188

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biosurgery & Surgical Technology, 10th Floor QEQM Building, Imperial College London, St Mary’s Hospital, London, W2 1NY, UK

    Kamran Ahmed, Amit Vats, Kamal Nagpal, Hutan Ashrafian, Batul Kaj & Thanos Athanasiou

  2. Department of Urology, Guy’s Hospital, London, UK

    Ranan Dasgupta, Prokar Dasgupta & Mohammad Shamim Khan

Authors
  1. Kamran Ahmed
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ranan Dasgupta
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Amit Vats
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Kamal Nagpal
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Hutan Ashrafian
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Batul Kaj
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Thanos Athanasiou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Prokar Dasgupta
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Mohammad Shamim Khan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kamran Ahmed.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ahmed, K., Dasgupta, R., Vats, A. et al. Urethral diverticular carcinoma: an overview of current trends in diagnosis and management. Int Urol Nephrol 42, 331–341 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11255-009-9618-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11255-009-9618-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation