Can Women Get Prostate Cancer? What You Need to Know

• Women do not have a classic prostate gland, but they have Skene’s glands—often called the “female prostate”—which can rarely develop adenocarcinoma.
• Transgender women who have undergone gender-affirming surgery still retain their prostate gland and require routine prostate health monitoring.
• Symptoms like blood in the urine, pelvic pain, or difficulty urinating should never be ignored and warrant an immediate medical evaluation.

EMERGENCY WARNING: If you experience severe lower abdominal pain, sudden inability to pass urine, heavy or unexplainable pelvic bleeding, or high fever with chills, seek emergency medical care immediately. These signs can point to acute urinary blockage or a severe infection.

Understanding the “Female Prostate” (Skene’s Glands)

When people ask, “can women get prostate cancer?” the short answer is no in the traditional sense, but yes in a biological sense. Cisgender women do not possess a distinct prostate organ like men do. However, female anatomy includes a set of tiny structures called Skene’s glands (also known as the periurethral glands).

Located on the anterior wall of the vagina near the lower end of the urethra, Skene’s glands develop from the exact same embryonic tissue that forms the male prostate gland. Because of this shared origin, scientists and medical professionals frequently refer to Skene’s glands as the “female prostate”.

Biological Similarities

Skene’s glands share several key features with the male prostate:

• Fluid Secretion: They produce a protective, lubricating fluid during sexual arousal.
• Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA): Skene’s glands release small amounts of PSA, the same protein measured in male prostate screenings.
• Tissue Structure: Under a microscope, the glandular tissue closely mimics male prostatic tissue.

Because these glands mirror prostate tissue, cells within Skene’s glands can occasionally undergo abnormal changes and develop into cancer—specifically a type called female urethral adenocarcinoma or Skene’s gland adenocarcinoma.

How Rare Is Skene’s Gland Cancer?

Cancer of the Skene’s glands is exceptionally rare. Medical literature records fewer than 30 confirmed cases worldwide. It accounts for less than 0.003% of all female genital cancers.

Because the condition is so rare, large-scale clinical trials do not exist. Treatment protocols are adapted from general urethral and male prostate cancer guidelines. Despite its rarity, understanding how this condition presents helps patients and caregivers spot subtle warning signs early.

Unique Clinical Takeaways

Beyond standard lists of symptoms, several unique clinical insights help patients and caregivers better navigate care:

1. Serum PSA Can Be an Informative Biomarker in Female Urethral Mass Evaluation: Although routine PSA screening is not conducted in women, elevated serum PSA levels in a woman presenting with a periurethral mass strongly indicate a Skene’s gland origin. Normalization of PSA levels following treatment serves as a reliable marker of therapeutic success.
2. Pathologic Staining with PSA and PAX-8 Helps Avoid Misdiagnosis: Skene’s gland adenocarcinoma frequently mimics other gynecologic or bladder tumors. Requesting specific immunohistochemical markers—such as PSA, PSAP, and PAX-8—on tissue biopsies helps pathologists distinguish Skene’s gland cancer from primary urethral clear cell carcinoma or vaginal malignancies.
3. Androgen Deprivation Therapy (ADT) May Offer Targeted Systemic Options: Because Skene’s glands express androgen receptors similar to male prostate tissue, advanced or recurrent cases have shown clinical responses to anti-androgen therapies (hormone therapy) used in male prostate cancer treatment.

Prostate Cancer Risk in Transgender Women

An essential aspect of answering “can women get prostate cancer” involves transgender healthcare. Transgender women (individuals assigned male at birth who identify as women) do have a prostate gland.

       ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
       │               Prostate Health Considerations             │
       └────────────────────────────┬────────────────────────────┘
                                    │
            ┌───────────────────────┴───────────────────────┐
            │                                               │
            ▼                                               ▼
┌──────────────────────┐                        ┌──────────────────────┐
│   Cisgender Women    │                        │  Transgender Women   │
├──────────────────────┤                        ├──────────────────────┤
│ • No true prostate   │                        │ • Retain prostate    │
│ • Skene's glands present                      │ • Low risk with GAHT │
│ • Extremely rare     │                        │ • Routine screening  │
│   adenocarcinoma     │                        │   still required     │
└──────────────────────┘                        └──────────────────────┘

Key Considerations for Transgender Women:

• Surgical Retaining: Gender-affirming bottom surgeries (such as vaginoplasty) rarely remove the prostate gland because it sits extremely close to critical nerves and the rectum.
• Hormone Effects: Gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT), such as estrogen and testosterone blockers, significantly lowers prostate cancer risk by shrinking prostate tissue.
• Screening Awareness: Although risk is low, prostate cancer can still develop in transgender women. PSA reference ranges must be interpreted carefully because hormone therapy suppresses baseline PSA levels.

Symptoms of Skene’s Gland Cancer and Conditions

Because Skene’s glands sit right next to the urethra, symptoms typically involve urination or sexual function.

Common Signs to Watch For:

• Blood in the Urine (Hematuria): Noticeable pink, red, or tea-colored urine.
• Painful Urination (Dysuria): Burning or stinging feelings when passing urine.
• Urinary Frequency or Urgency: Feeling the need to pee constantly or suddenly.
• Pelvic or Vaginal Pain: Dull aching or pressure in the lower pelvis or pain during intercourse (dyspareunia).
• A Localized Mass: A firm, noticeable lump or bulge near the urethral opening or anterior vaginal wall.

Condition	Primary Cause	Typical Treatment
Skenitis	Bacterial infection of Skene’s glands	Oral antibiotics
Skene’s Duct Cyst	Blocked drainage duct causing fluid buildup	Warm compresses or minor surgical drainage
Skene’s Adenocarcinoma	Malignant cell growth in glandular tissue	Local excision, radiation, or hormone therapy

How Doctors Diagnose Skene’s Gland Cancer

Diagnosing conditions of the Skene’s gland requires a combination of physical exams, imaging, and lab work.

┌─────────────────┐     ┌─────────────────┐     ┌─────────────────┐     ┌─────────────────┐
│ Physical Exam   │ ──► │ Pelvic MRI / CT │ ──► │ Tissue Biopsy   │ ──► │ Lab & PSA Tests │
│ & Endoscopy     │     │ Imaging         │     │ Pathology       │     │ Marker Check    │
└─────────────────┘     └─────────────────┘     └─────────────────┘     └─────────────────┘

1. Physical & Endoscopic Exam: A healthcare provider performs a pelvic exam to check for lumps and uses cystourethroscopy (a tiny camera) to inspect the urethra.
2. Pelvic MRI or CT Scan: High-resolution imaging determines the exact depth, size, and location of any mass, checking whether nearby lymph nodes are involved.
3. Tissue Biopsy: A microscopic tissue sample confirms whether cells are cancerous.
4. Blood Tests: Checking serum PSA levels provides valuable baseline information for tracking treatment progress.

Treatment Approaches

Because cases are rare, medical teams customize treatment plans based on tumor size, stage, and individual patient health.

Standard Treatment Modalities:

• Surgical Excision: Removing the localized tumor while protecting urethral and urinary function.
• Radiation Therapy: High-energy rays target remaining cancer cells near the urethra or pelvic lymph nodes.
• Hormone Therapy (ADT): Anti-androgen medications block hormones that fuel androgen-sensitive tumor cells.
• Chemotherapy: Systemic medications may be recommended if cancer spreads to other areas of the body.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor

If you or a loved one are experiencing persistent pelvic or urinary symptoms, bring these questions to your appointment:

• Could my symptoms be related to an infection or cyst in Skene’s glands?
• Do I need a referral to a urologist or urogynecologist?
• Would a pelvic MRI or specialized biopsy help clarify my diagnosis?
• What PSA testing or baseline imaging do you recommend for my situation?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

References and Citations

1. Cleveland Clinic: Skene’s Gland Function and OverviewCleveland Clinic. (2022). Skene’s Gland: Function, Location, Secretion & Conditions.
2. Frontiers in Oncology: Adenosquamous Carcinoma of Skene’s GlandGao, Q., Liu, X., Ye, L., et al. (2022). Adenosquamous Carcinoma of Skene’s Gland: A Case Report and Literature Review. Frontiers in Oncology, 12, 893980. https://doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2022.893980
3. PubMed / Journal of Urology: Skene’s Gland Malignancy Systematic ReviewSlopnick, E. A., Bagby, C., Mahran, A., et al. (2022). Skene’s Gland Malignancy: A Case Report and Systematic Review. Urology, 165, 36–43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.urology.2022.02.004
4. Mathews Journal of Case Reports: PAX-8-Positive Female Urethral AdenocarcinomaAlla, M. A., Seffar, A., Doumer, A., et al. (2024). Skene’s Gland Adenocarcinoma: A Rare Case Report of a PAX-8-Positive Female Urethral Adenocarcinoma and Literature Review. Mathews Journal of Case Reports, 9(3), 165. https://doi.org/10.30654/mjcr.10165
5. Mayo Clinic / Gynecologic Oncology: Skene’s Gland Adenocarcinoma PathologyDodson, M. K., Cliby, W. A., Keeney, G. L., Peterson, M. F., & Podritz, K. C. (1994). Skene’s gland adenocarcinoma with increased serum level of prostate-specific antigen. Gynecologic Oncology, 55(2), 304–307. https://doi.org/10.1006/gyno.1994.1294

Medical Disclaimer

This article is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute formal medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical condition, persistent symptoms, or health concerns. Never delay seeking professional medical advice because of information read on this website.