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| Disease found: | Urachal Caner |
| Current as of: | October 8, 2024 |
| Disease Overview: | Urachal cancer affects the urachus, which is responsible for draining the urinary bladder of the fetus. Among the 1/3 of adults who have remnants of the urachal tissue, some may develop cancer of this ligament, potentially spreading to the bladder and metastasizing to the rest of the body. The cause is unknown but most urachal cancers are adenocarcinomas. [more info] |
| Signs and Symptoms: | Some patients may be asymptomatic and others can develop hematuria, dysuria, mucinuria, abdominal or pelvic pain, and irritative voiding. A suprapubic mass may be felt and nonspecific symptoms like nausea, diarrhea, fatigue, and weight loss can occur. |
| Diagnosis: | Clinical evaluation of characteristic symptoms accompanied by a cystoscopy to examine the bladder. Other useful imaging can include ultrasound, CT scan, and MRI to make the diagnosis. Surgeons may biopsy the tumor and perform immunohistochemistry exams to determine the type of cancer. |
| Treatment: | Surgical resection of the tumor and surrounding structures is the main treatment option. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy have been considered but their effectiveness is unknown. |
| Clinical Management: | Symptomatic care and management. No standardized protocols have been determined. An interdisciplinary approach based on the individual's symptoms is encouraged, consulting medical oncologists, urologists, surgeons, psychiatrists, and other healthcare professionals. |
| Referral: | Urologists and oncologists. Referral to Medical Genetics Department, if available. Initial virtual care is also available through organizations like TeleRare Health. |
| Clinical Trials: | Many clinical trials are currently recruiting. |