The urethra is the anatomical tube that carries urine outside the body from the bladder. In women, it's around 1-1/2 inches long; in men, it's about 8 inches long because it passes through the prostate and the length of the penis. Urethral cancer can affect any part of the urethra and varies between men and women.
Types of Urethral Cancer
Urethral cancer can affect any part of the urethra and varies between men and women. There are three types of urethral cancer:
Squamous cell carcinoma
This type starts in the cells that line the inside of the urethra. In women, it starts in the part of the urethra near the bladder. In men, it begins in the cells of the urethra that go through the prostate gland.
Adenocarcinoma
This cancer starts in the glands near the urethra.
Transitional cell carcinoma
In women, transitional cell cancer starts in the cells of the urethra closest to the outside of the body. In men, it starts in the cells of the part of the urethra that goes through the penis.
Why Choose Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center?
Sylvester is an NCI-designated cancer center. The National Cancer Institute has recognized Sylvester for its outstanding work conducting research in its laboratories, treating patients in its clinics and hospitals, and reaching out to medically underserved communities with innovative prevention strategies.
More experience caring for urethral cancer. Our genitourinary specialists see the most cases of urethral cancer in South Florida. This experience allows us to provide improved outcomes and access to the most options for care.
Advanced radiation oncology tools. Sylvester is one of only five medical centers in the country with ViewRay™ — MRI-guided radiation therapy. Our RapidArc® radiotherapy system delivers intensity modulated external radiation therapy (IMRT). These tools lead to more efficient and effective treatments, shorter treatment times, pinpoint accuracy in tumor targeting, and less damage to surrounding healthy tissue.
More cancer clinical trials than any other South Florida hospital. If appropriate for your cancer and stage, our clinical trials provide you with easy access to the very newest ways to treat and potentially cure your cancer.
The only designated Cancer Center of Excellence in South Florida. We treat cancer, and only cancer, giving you the best potential outcomes. The likelihood of surviving cancer after five years at a Dedicated Cancer Center is 17 percent higher than at other hospitals.
Multidisciplinary care teams with nationally recognized expertise. Your care team is made up of experts in all aspects of your exact type of cancer. All of your physicians, nurses, and more collaborate to save lives.
Imaging expertise using the most advanced technology available. Our providers’ expertise allows them to distinguish between normal and abnormal findings and work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan for the right diagnosis.