If urethral cancer has spread to other parts of the body (Fig. 3.4), cure is unlikely. Treatment is limited to controlling the spread of the disease and reducing the symptoms.
Your doctor will recommend additional treatments such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Often, a multidisciplinary team of urologists, radiation oncologists, and oncologists will discuss your case to find the best possible treatment option for you.
Treatment of bone metastases
Urethral cancer can spread to your bones. If this happens, skeletal complications can occur, such as weakening of the bones and fractures. These complications cause pain and can negatively affect your quality of life. Your doctor may suggest drug treatment to help strengthen your bones and control the pain.
Deciding on treatment
If treatment is intended to slow down the cancer and control the symptoms, deciding what treatment is best for you—or whether to have treatment at all—can be difficult. You will need a clear understanding of what chemotherapy can do for you at this stage and how it will affect your quality of life.
Fig. 3.4: metastatic spread.