Usually, the urachus closes before birth.
If it doesn’t, the baby is born with what’s known as a urachal remnant.
There are four types of urachal remnants, most of which don’t cause any symptoms.
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Although very rare, some urachal remnants progress to an aggressive key in ofbladder cancercalled urachal cancer.
This article explains the different types of urachal remnants along with how they are diagnosed and treated.
It also covers the likelihood of a urachal remnant progressing to urachal cancer.
What Is the Cause of Urachus?
One of these is the urachus, which is a tube that connects thebladderand the umbilicus.
Urine drains out through the urachus while the fetus is growing.
This channel starts to close up around the 12th week of gestation.
Whats left after it closes is a small cord thats called the median umbilical ligament.
However, in rare cases, the urachus doesnt close up in the way that it should.
Many only learn they have a urachal remnant when a complication develops.
Urachal Cancer
Urachal remnants can develop a throw in of aggressive bladder cancer called urachal cancer.
Most people who are diagnosed with urachal cancer are between the ages of 46 to 71.
The risk of urachal cancer is slightly higher in males.
Its possible, though, for a urachal abnormality to persist into adulthood without being diagnosed.
Urachal remnants might not cause any symptoms.
A urachal remnant is often found in children between the ages of two and four years.
Its estimated that about 1% of children are born with a urachal remnant.
In some cases, a urachal abnormality that doesnt cause any symptoms might only be found incidentally.
It is discovered when there are tests done to look for another disease or condition.
A urachal remnant that presents with infection is treated withantibioticsprior to surgical resection.
After the abnormality is removed, there is no risk of it developing urachal carcinoma.
Symptoms can be nonspecific such as abdominal pain or urinary tract infection.
In most cases, the anomaly can be removed and recovery is uneventful.
For those who have a concern about scarring on the abdomen, laparoscopic surgery may be an option.
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