Female Urethral Cancer: Early Symptoms and Risk Factors
Urethral cancer develops when a tumor forms inside the tube that carries urine out of the body. Some of the first signs you may notice are while urinating.
The urethral opening is just above the vaginal opening. As the female urethra is relatively short, the cancer is more likely to spread than other types.
However, all of the noticeable symptoms can be signs of other conditions, so healthcare professionals use the likes of biopsies and other tests to diagnose or rule out cancer.
Read on to learn more about the symptoms of this often silent disease.
What visual changes are associated with female urethral cancer?
Growths or lumps in the genital area, namely near the urethra, can be one of the more common visual symptoms.
These may be an enlarged lymph node, ulcer, or a tumor. Some people notice discharge or bleeding coming from the urethra or bloody urine.
Again, many people may not see any of these signs in the early stages, or they may only be visible to a doctor who can examine the area closely.
What are other early symptoms of female urethral cancer?
You may need to urinate more frequently, have a weak or interrupted flow, or see blood in your urine.
These symptoms, along with a lump near the urethra, make up more than 50% of symptoms seen in female urethral cancer cases.
Other symptoms include feeling like you need to urinate more often without actually passing urine. Some people have urinary incontinence, where they can’t control when they need to urinate.
Who may be most at risk of developing female urethral cancer?
People with human papillomavirus (HPV) and other sexually transmitted infections are more at risk of this type of cancer — specifically those with high risk strains of HPV, like HPV 16 and HPV 18.
In one 2019 study of both male and female participants, high risk HPV infection was present in almost a third of urethral cancer tumors.
Conditions that affect the urethra or urinary system can also increase the risk. These include a history of:
- chronic urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- urethral masses
- urethral diverticulum, where a pocket forms on the urethra
Other risk factors include being older — particularly 60 years and over — and previously receiving a diagnosis of bladder cancer.
The bottom line
While female urethral cancer is rare, it’s important to be aware of its symptoms —particularly if you fall into a higher-risk category.
It’s common for there to be no early signs. But a healthcare professional should check for any changes to your urinating habits, such as needing to go more often or the flow being weaker.
You should also consult a healthcare professional if you notice any lumps and bumps in your genital region or experience bleeding or unusual discharge from the urethra.
Head here to find out more about urethral cancer, including treatment options and the overall outlook if you’ve received a diagnosis.
