# Organ-preserving surgery for male distal primary urethral carcinoma: A case report from a tertiary hospital in Ethiopia

## TL;DR

A rare case of male distal urethral cancer is reported, highlighting the challenges in diagnosis and the success of organ-preserving surgery.

## Contribution

This case report adds to the limited literature on male distal primary urethral carcinoma and demonstrates successful organ-preserving surgical outcomes.

## Key findings

- The patient was initially misdiagnosed with a herpes ulcer but was later confirmed to have squamous cell carcinoma.
- Organ-preserving surgery was successfully performed with no local recurrence reported.
- The case emphasizes the need for high clinical suspicion in diagnosing rare urethral cancers.

## Abstract

Primary urethral carcinoma (PUC) is a rare cancer, comprising less than 1 % of all genitourinary malignancies, with a male predominance (3:1 ratio), and typically affects those over 75 years of age. PUC shows varied histological subtypes based on their location and sex. The prognosis depends on age, tumor grade, TNM stage, histology, and site. Organ-preserving surgery is for distal disease becoming a preferred option.

We report the surgical management of a male patient presenting with a history of urethral meatal ulcer, bloody urethral discharge, dysuria, and urine spraying, initially misdiagnosed as a persistent herpes ulcer. Examination revealed a 1 × 2 cm erythematous plaque over the urethral meatus. Pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a 1.7 × 1.7 cm lesion in the distal penile urethra invading the corpus spongiosum, and a biopsy confirmed squamous carcinoma in situ. The patient underwent partial glansectomy and anterior urethrectomy, but pathology showed well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma with positive margins. The patient was successfully treated with a total anterior urethrectomy, partial glansectomy, and augmented perineal urethrostomy.

PUC (primary urethral carcinoma) presents nonspecifically, requiring high suspicion for diagnosis. Historically, treatment included total penectomy with cystoprostatectomy for proximal tumors and partial or radical penectomy for distal tumors. Distal tumors often have better outcomes, and organ preservation surgery is possible for selected patients, with no local recurrence in those treated with additional surgery or adjuvant radiation for positive margins.

PUC is a rare urological malignancy that is challenging to diagnose and treat. Clinical stage and tumor location are critical prognostic factors for urethral carcinoma in men. Organ-preserving surgery is the preferred treatment for distal disease, with a 5-year overall survival rate of approximately 50 %.

•PUC is a rare cancer, and sparse data is available on its pathogenesis and management.•Nonspecific presentation and initially misdiagnosed with a persistent herpes ulcer.•Diagnosis requires a high index of suspicion due to nonspecific presentation and rarity of the case.•The report adds to the limited literature on PUC Penis-preserving surgery, prompting further research.

PUC is a rare cancer, and sparse data is available on its pathogenesis and management.

Nonspecific presentation and initially misdiagnosed with a persistent herpes ulcer.

Diagnosis requires a high index of suspicion due to nonspecific presentation and rarity of the case.

The report adds to the limited literature on PUC Penis-preserving surgery, prompting further research.