Urethral Cancer Health Video

Video Transcript

JUSTIN C.K. DAVIS, M.D.: Hi. My name is Dr. Justin Davis. Today, I will be telling you briefly about urethral cancer. Now, first of all, to understand what urethral cancer is, which is cancer of the urethra you have to know what the urethra is. The urethra is a tube that goes from the bladder to the outside and empties the urine, and in the case of men it also empties the ejaculate. Now urethral cancer can occur in men or women although it is a little bit more common in men than in women. There are three main types of urethral cancer because there are three main types of cells within the urethra. There are the transitional cells. These are the cells that are stretchy and elastic in nature. There are also the adeno cells. These will be known as adeno cell urethral cancer. These are cells that produce liquids and mucus. And finally, there is the inside lining of the urethra and these they are known as squamous cells. Any of these cells can become different kinds of cancer. Any of these cells can become different kinds of cancerous cells within the urethra. The symptoms of urethral cancer can depend upon the stage and exactly where it is located. The symptom of urethral cancer depends upon the kind of cell that is affected as well as the location and the severity. So, for example, if an adeno cell, the kind that excretes mucus and fluid is affected, then you may have different kinds of bloody fluids or different kinds of colors or difficulty excreting those liquids whereas other cancer cells may be located in a location that blocks the urination so that it is difficult to urine and maybe you experience stop and go or maybe you cannot urinate at all. Probably, the most common symptom, however, of urethral cancer is when you experience blood when you urinate. Now, blood in the urination is a common symptom of many problems so do not panic and think you have urethral cancer if you notice this, but it is important to evaluate what exactly is causing that blood. Probably the most common reason might be an infection. Now, what can you do to treat it? Well, treatment depends upon what kind of cells and where it is located. Often, treatment may include surgery as well as possible radiation or even chemotherapy. This will be discussed with you by your doctor or your oncologist if you are diagnosed with urethral cancer. Prevention is difficult. As with most cancers, we do not know exactly what causes this. Probably certain kinds of diseases are more likely to cause urethral cancer, kinds of viruses that you maybe infected with, also other kinds of toxins that are excreted into the urine through the urethra may include your chances of getting urethral cancer. This is a rare cancer, so most people will never experience it. So remember, if you have any of the symptoms that I described above or maybe worrisome when you urinate, do not wait because it maybe something that is very treatable or it could be something that is more serious. Either way [INDISCERNIBLE]....