When we say the term “prostate cancer,” we immediately tend to connect it with men. That is understandable, because the prostate gland is referred to as a male reproductive gland, located beneath the bladder and tasked with secreting seminal fluid. What is lesser known, however, is that women also have a small gland called the Skene’s gland or female prostate. Although it is structurally and functionally different, it is similar to the male prostate in many respects, including the possible—although rare—development of cancer.
Understanding the Female Prostate (Skene’s Glands)
The female prostate, known in science as the Skene’s glands or paraurethral glands, are tiny glands on the anterior wall of the vagina, close to the lower part of the urethra. Found by Dr. Alexander Skene in the late 19th century, these glands have long been forgotten about in the female body.
Small as they are, the Skene’s glands do a very important job. They secrete fluid that adds to the lubrication of the urethra and might be involved in female orgasm. This secretion is sometimes labeled as female ejaculation. In addition, the glands contain a substance named prostate-specific antigen (PSA) – the same biomarker for detecting prostate cancer in men.
This common characteristic (PSA production) constitutes one of the biological connections between prostate tissue in males and females. Therefore, from a medical perspective, the Skene’s glands can be said to be the “female equivalent” of the prostate.
Can Women Truly Develop Prostate Cancer?
Briefly, yes, women can develop prostate cancer, though it is extremely uncommon. The cancer developing in the Skene’s glands is commonly known as female prostate cancer or Skene’s gland adenocarcinoma.
Due to its elusiveness, it’s sometimes mistaken for a different form of cancer in the urogenital tract, like bladder cancer or urethral cancer. Most of the time, it affects postmenopausal women and may pass unnoticed for years since the glands are small and located deep in the pelvis.
How Common Is It?
Statistically, female prostate cancer is among the world’s most unusual cancers in women. Medical literature provides fewer than 100 thoroughly documented cases reported internationally. Being so rare makes the condition still under-researched, and many aspects of it are not yet very well understood.
Although prostate cancer among men is among the leading cancers in the world, among women, its occurrence is so uncommon that it’s not included as a distinct category in most registries of cancer.
Causes and Risk Factors
For its rarity, there is little information regarding the exact causes of cancer of the prostate in women. Scientists do, however, suspect that the underlying processes involved are analogous to those causing prostate cancer in men. A few contributing factors may be:
- Hormonal Changes
Estrogen and testosterone hormones are central to the preservation of the function of the Skene’s glands. Hormonal fluctuations—particularly following menopause—may render these glands more prone to abnormal cell growth.
- Genetic Mutations
Genetic mutations in genes controlling cell growth and repair, like BRCA1 and BRCA2 (also associated with breast and ovarian cancers), could be responsible for the onset of cancers within glandular tissues, like the female prostate.
- Chronic Inflammation or Infection
Prolonged urinary tract infections or chronic inflammation of the area surrounding the urethra and vaginal wall have the potential to cause cell damage that enhances cancer risk.
- Age
Most reported cases occur in women above 50, suggesting that age-related tissue changes might influence cancer development.
- Exposure to Toxins or Carcinogens
Prolonged exposure to certain environmental toxins, cigarette smoke, or chemicals might play a minor but contributing role.
Symptoms of Female Prostate Cancer
The signs of prostate cancer in women are usually mild and can easily be confused with other urinary or reproductive conditions. Most women are diagnosed only after other potential conditions are eliminated. Painful urination (dysuria)
- Frequent or frequent urination or a sense of urgency
- Vaginal discharge or blood in urine (hematuria)
- Painful sex
- Pelvic pressure or discomfort
- Swelling around the opening of the urethra
Frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs)
Because these symptoms overlap with far more common conditions—like cystitis, urethritis, or menopause-related atrophy—doctors rarely suspect prostate cancer initially.
Diagnosis of Female Prostate Cancer
Diagnosing prostate cancer in women is a challenge. Because it’s so rare and its symptoms mimic other conditions, it often requires a combination of imaging, laboratory tests, and biopsies. The diagnostic process may involve:
Pelvic Examination
A gynecologist can detect an abnormal mass or swelling in the region of the urethra on a pelvic exam.
Imaging Tests
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) or CT scans are used to detect tumors or abnormal growths in the pelvis.
Ultrasound is employed in visualizing the Skene’s glands and identifying structural changes.
- PSA Testing
Similar to men, women with high levels of Prostate-Specific Antigen may have a problem with the Skene’s glands.
- Biopsy
A sample of the involved gland is viewed under a microscope to determine if cancer cells are there.
- Cystoscopy
This involves a thin tube with a camera placed inside through the urethra to see inside the urinary tract and spot irregular growth of tissue.
Treatment Options
Treatment for female prostate cancer is based on the stage, size of the tumor, and whether the cancer has extended to surrounding tissues. Due to the condition being rare, there is no standard treatment procedure, but treatment is usually modified from that of male prostate or urethral cancer.
- Surgery
Surgical excision of the tumor is usually the preferred treatment when the cancer is localized. This can include the removal of the glands that are involved, the tissue around them, or the urethra in part.
- Radiation Therapy
High-energy X-rays are employed to destroy cancer cells or reduce tumors. It can be administered after surgery or as the primary therapy for those patients who are not fit to undergo surgery.
- Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is sometimes used with drugs like cisplatin or paclitaxel to kill cancer cells or suppress recurrence.
- Hormone Therapy
Sincenes control the growth of tissue in Skene’s gland, and hormone-blocking drugs can be employed to halt or slow tumor growth.
- Targeted Therapy
In more recent diagnoses, medications that target specific genetic aberrations in cancer cells are being researched, but this is still in the early stages for this type of rare cancer.
Prognosis and Outlook
The prognosis in women with prostate (Skene’s gland) cancer depends on how early it is diagnosed.
Early cancer (limited to the gland) usually has a good outcome with surgery or radiation.
Advanced cancer, where the cancer has spread to other organs, is worse and more difficult to treat.
Still, due to the rarity of the cancer, large-scale studies to determine precise survival rates are not yet available. The majority of reported cases in medical literature state that early detection significantly enhances the prognosis.
Prevention and Awareness
Due to its rarity, no prevention guidelines have been established for female prostate cancer. However, keeping overall urogenital health in check and remaining vigilant for any abnormal symptoms is important in avoiding a late diagnosis.
Preventive measures are as follows:
- Routine gynecological examinations – particularly post-menopause.
- Early therapy of urinary infections to avoid chronic inflammation.
- Healthy lifestyle habits, such as a balanced diet and not smoking.
- Supervising the health of hormones, especially during and following menopause.
Education on the part of both women and doctors is paramount. Most doctors still forget that Skene’s glands have the potential to develop cancer, and therefore, delayed diagnosis is the outcome. More education and incorporation of this issue in medical school curricula can reverse this.
Recent Studies and Scientific Findings
In recent decades, the interest of scientists in the female prostate has increased. Research conducted has shown that the Skene’s glands perform more functions than before. For example:
A study released in The Journal of Sexual Medicine confirmed that the Skene’s glands secrete PSA and prostatic acid phosphatase—markers of male prostate tissue.
Several case studies have reported adenocarcinoma of the Skene’s glands, some of which have been associated with mutations that are similar to those of male prostate cancer.
High-resolution imaging technology, such as MRI, has improved visualization of the female prostate, providing new avenues for diagnosis and research.
Scientists continue to investigate the role of hormonal, genetic, and molecular factors in the development of cancer in these glands. With greater insight, targeted therapy may one day develop.
The Psychological and Social Factor
Due to the rarity of female prostate cancer, women who have been diagnosed tend to feel emotionally perplexed. Most have never even heard of it and can feel lonely or distressed. Psychological counseling, support groups, and public information campaigns can decrease stigma and fear.
Also needed is gender-sensitive medical communication. Women need to be told that having “prostate cancer” does not make them less womanly—it’s just a matter of the complicated biology of the human body.
Conclusion
Though prostate cancer normally calls to mind men, women do have the ability to develop cancer in their Skene’s glands, sometimes referred to as the female prostate. While extremely rare, the condition is medically accepted and has the potential to be a serious health problem if not diagnosed.
Knowing the anatomy and physiology of the woman’s prostate, identifying symptoms, and raising awareness among medical professionals are key to early detection and successful treatment.
In the larger context, the presence of the female prostate—and potential for its ailments—reminds us of the sheer intricacy of the human body. It serves to highlight the value of ongoing research into every part of the female form, so that no condition is left undiagnosed because it’s uncommon.
FAQS
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Do women have a prostate?
A: Women possess Skene’s glands, which are referred to as the female prostate.
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Can women get prostate cancer?
A: Yes, although it’s very rare.
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Where is the female prostate located?
A: It’s located close to the urethra and bladder.
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What are the symptoms?
A: Painful urination, pain in the pelvic area, or blood in their urine.
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How is it diagnosed?
A: By using imaging tests and a biopsy.
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Is it treatable?
A: Yes, with surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy.