Female Prostate Cancer: Understanding Its Existence

Female Prostate Cancer: Does It Really Exist?

Most people don’t expect the words “female” and “prostate” to appear in the same sentence, yet human anatomy is far more layered than many of us realise.

While the prostate is widely associated with men, women also have a small pair of glands that function in a remarkably similar way. These are known as Skene’s glands, and they sit quietly in the background for most of a woman’s life.

Still, just like any other tissue in the body, they can develop their own conditions: including, in very rare cases, female prostate cancer.

Do females have a prostate gland?

Although women do not have a prostate in the same sense as men, they have Skene’s glands: sometimes called the “female prostate” because of their structural and hormonal similarities.

These tiny glands sit near the urethra, closer to the bladder opening, and are often so small that many women never hear about them unless a health issue brings them into focus.

Function and anatomical role

Skene’s glands sit beside the urethra and release small amounts of fluid that help keep the area moist and protected.

Their ducts open near the urethral opening, so the fluid they produce supports smooth urination and maintains comfort in the surrounding tissues.

Because of their position, they also play a small role in shielding the urethra from irritation and everyday friction, helping the urinary and reproductive passages stay healthy.

Hormonal similarities

What makes these glands even more interesting is how they respond to hormones. They contain enzyme activity similar to the male prostate and may react to oestrogen and testosterone changes.

What is prostate cancer in females?

When people ask “what is prostate cancer in females?”: the answer lies in the behaviour of the Skene’s glands.

These glands contain tissue that is biologically capable of turning cancerous, even though such cases are extremely uncommon. When cancer develops here, it affects the ducts or glandular structures around the urethra rather than a traditional prostate.

Female prostate cancer symptoms and warning signs

Women often search for prostate cancer symptoms in females, yet the signs can be subtle in the beginning. Since the Skene’s glands are small, early symptoms may easily blend into everyday discomforts.

Early symptoms of female prostate cancer may include:

• •A persistent burning sensation during urination
• •Urethral discomfort or pressure
• •Frequent urination without a clear infection
• •Spotting blood in the urine

These signs of prostate cancer in females can overlap with urinary tract infections, making it difficult to distinguish between the two without medical testing. Many conditions such as recurrent cystitis or vaginal inflammation present in similar ways.

When symptoms advance, women may notice:

• •Pain or swelling near the urethral opening
• •A feeling of incomplete bladder emptying
• •Pain during sexual activity
• •Noticeable urethral masses on examination

These signs can raise concern for female prostate cancer symptoms, but they are also seen in benign conditions like Skene’s duct cysts or chronic infections. That’s why proper assessment becomes essential.

Underlying factors behind female prostate cancer

Although the exact cause of signs of prostate cancer in females remains unclear due to how seldom it occurs, researchers have identified certain patterns that may contribute to its development.

Hormonal imbalances

• •Cause:
  Skene’s glands are sensitive to hormonal signals, particularly oestrogen and testosterone. When these hormone levels shift significantly, the glandular tissue may behave differently, which can influence how the cells grow or function.
• •Risk factor:
  Life-stage changes, long-term hormonal fluctuations, or conditions that affect hormone balance, such as Polycystic ovary syndrome, may place the glands under repeated hormonal stress, increasing the likelihood of abnormal tissue changes over time.

Genetic or tissue mutation factors

• •Cause:
  As with many ^types of cancer , genetic mutations affecting glandular tissue can spark abnormal growth. In the Skene’s glands, mutations in glandular tissue can lead to uncontrolled cell activity, even though this is extremely rare.
• •Risk factor:
  A personal tendency towards tissue mutations, a history of similar glandular changes, or age-related genetic alterations may make these rare mutations more likely to occur.
• Most available research comes from individual case studies rather than large population data, given the condition’s rarity.

Repeated gland infection or inflammation

• •Cause:
  Persistent inflammation can disrupt the normal structure of Skene’s gland tissue. When inflammation continues for long periods, the irritated cells may begin to change in ways that increase their vulnerability to damage, and to cause female prostate cancer.
• •Risk factor:
  Chronic urethral infections, untreated gland blockage, or recurring irritation around the urethral ducts can place repeated stress on the area, creating an environment where abnormal cell growth has a slightly higher chance of appearing.

Diagnosis and detection

A common question is whether the PSA test, widely used in men, has any relevance in female prostate cancer. Interestingly, Skene’s glands can produce prostate-specific antigen (PSA), although in very small amounts.

In rare cases of can females have prostate cancer, PSA levels may show a rise, but this is not always reliable. It may serve as a supporting marker rather than a primary diagnostic tool.

Doctors usually rely on:

• •Pelvic examinations
• •Imaging tests such as MRI or ultrasound
• •Tissue biopsy when needed
• •Urine and urethral assessments

Awareness plays a large role. Female prostate cancer symptoms often overlap with infections, so women sometimes undergo repeated antibiotics before deeper testing happens.

Early detection allows smoother planning of care and helps avoid unnecessary discomfort or prolonged uncertainty.

Treatment and management options

While there is no single approach, here’s a few points to keep in mind:

• •Treatment depends on tumour size, stage, and location.
  The approach varies based on how much of the Skene’s gland tissue is involved and whether nearby structures are affected.
• •Surgical removal may be considered.
  Excision of the affected gland or surrounding tissue can be an option when the tumour is localised.
• •Radiation therapy may be used.
  Targeted radiation can help manage female prostate cancer cells in and around the glandular area.
• •Combined approaches are sometimes chosen.
  Some cases may require a mix of surgery and radiation, depending on how the tumour behaves.
• •Hormone-related treatments may be explored.
  In select situations, hormone-based strategies may support overall management, depending on how the tissue responds.

Since cases are so few, treatment plans for female prostate cancer are usually highly individualised, guided by evidence from similar glandular cancers in the pelvic region.

Other female prostate cancer (skene’s gland) conditions

Not every urethral or gland-related symptom points to cancer. In fact, benign conditions involving Skene’s glands are far more common.

Cysts and abscesses

Skene’s duct cysts occur when the tiny glandular ducts become blocked. If bacteria enter the area, an abscess can form. These often cause swelling, discomfort during urination, or visible lumps near the urethra. Treatment may involve drainage or antibiotics depending on severity.

Infections and inflammation

Inflammation of the Skene’s glands can mimic female prostate cancer symptoms, leading to burning, pressure, and frequent urination. Chronic inflammation may need targeted treatment, especially if ordinary urine tests don’t reveal obvious infection.

Adenofibromas

These are rare benign tumours that arise from glandular and fibrous tissue. Although not cancerous, they can cause discomfort or urinary difficulties due to their location.

PCOS and hormonal links

While PCOS does not directly cause female prostate gland cancer, its hormonal patterns may influence how Skene’s glands behave. Hormonal shifts can change fluid production, increase sensitivity, or contribute to mild swelling or irritation around the urethral area.

What women should keep in mind

Clear information helps women understand their own anatomy without alarm, and encourages timely evaluation whenever symptoms feel unusual or persistent.