Local advanced transitional cell cancer and squamous cell cancer of the urethra treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by radical surgery

Abstract

Background: Primary urethral cancer is rare, accounting for less than 1% of all malignancies. The management of the urethral cancer depends on several factors which includes the clinical stage and the location of the lesion. Local surgical excision is the treatment of choice for the distal and low stage tumor while proximal tumors need more radical surgery.
Aim: To report a case of a young African man who presented with locally advanced squamous cell cancer of the periurethral tissues and underlying isolated transitional cell cancer of the urethra.
Case report: A 51-year-old man presented with a locally advanced squamous cell cancer of the periurethral tissues as well as an underlying isolated transitional cell cancer of the urethra. Chemotherapy with Gemcitabin and Cisplatinum together with local radiation to the pelvis and the perineum was given. There was remarkable regression of the tumour was identified by clinical examination and computed tomography scan after the treatment. The patient subsequently underwent cystoprostatectomy, radical penectomy, excision of the scrotum and ileal conduit. He recovered well postoperatively.
Conclusion: Multimodal therapy combining chemotherapy and surgical resection should be used in locally advanced cases to improve the patient\'s survival chance.


Port Harcourt Medical Journal Vol. 1 (3) 2007: pp. 208-211