Primary carcinoma of the male urethra.

Of 27 men with primary urethral carcinoma, 11 had tumors that rose at or anterior to the penoscrotal junction; 16 had tumors arising between the membranous urethra and the penoscrotal junction. Surgery was the only effective definitive therapy, and only palliative methods could be used for half of those patients with posterior tumors. A good prognosis was possible if primary treatment controlled the malignant process, but all patients in whom tumor recurred locally eventually died of their disease.