Malignant Neoplasm of the Urethra B047

Current RMA Instruments:

Changes from previous Instruments:

ICD Coding:

• ICD-10-AM Codes: C68.0

Brief description

Malignant neoplasm of the urethra is a rare but aggressive form of cancer that develops from the cells lining the urethra, the tube that transports the urine from the bladder to the exterior of the body.  

Confirming the diagnosis

The diagnosis of this condition requires biopsy, with confirmation provided by histopathology. While the treating doctor can reasonably confirm the diagnosis, obtaining the histopathology report may be important for clarity and diagnostic certainty. 

Assessment and management of this condition will usually involve consultation with a urologist and oncologist. 

Additional diagnoses covered by SOP

• Adenocarcinoma of the urethra
• Carcinoma in situ of the urethra
• Clear cell adenocarcinoma of the urethra
• Malignant neoplasms of the urethral accessory galnds
• Melanoma of the urethra
• Squamous cell carcinoma of the urethra
• Transitional cell carcinoma of the urethra
• Urothelial cell carcinoma of the urethra
• Urethral diverticular carcinoma
• primary melanoma of the urethra

Conditions not covered by SOP

• Carcinoid tumours #
• haematolymphoid tumours including non-Hodgkin lymphoma and Hodgkin lymphoma *
• Malignant neoplasm of the ureter * - Malignant neoplasm of the renal pelvis and ureter SoP
• malignant neoplasm of the urethral orifice of the bladder * - Malignant neoplasm of the bladder SoP
• metastatic cancer from other primary sites including bladder, ureter and renal pelvis *
• soft tissue sarcoma *

* another SOP applies  - the SOP has the same name unless otherwise specified

^# non-SOP condition

Clinical onset

This condition is rare and may present with non-specific symptoms, often leading to delayed diagnosis. Symptoms may include haematuria (blood in the urine), dysuria (painful urination), frequent urination, difficulty starting or maintaining urine flow, pelvic pain, and/or groin swelling/lump.

The clinical onset is defined as the first appearance of clinical signs consistent with malignant neoplasm of the urethra, as documented by the treating doctor, and subsequently confirmed by histopathology examination. 

Clinical worsening

For clinical worsening, the SOP only has an 'inability to obtain appropriate clinical management factor.' Failure to undergo timely treatment could result in permanent worsening in the form of local invasion/destruction of normal tissue, metastasis or death from the disease. Establishing whether worsening beyond the normal course of the disease has occurred will generally require expert medical opinion.