People assigned female at birth can’t get prostate cancer because they don’t have a prostate gland. However, women can get a rare type of cancer that develops in the Skene’s glands, a pair of organs that develop from the same cells in an embryo that produce the prostate.
Women can’t develop prostate cancer, but they can get a similar type of cancer known as Skene’s gland cancer or female urethral adenocarcinoma (FUA). While prostate cancer is prevalent in men and people assigned male at birth, Skene’s gland cancer is extremely rare.
The Skene’s glands are two small ducts located on either side of the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body. They develop in females from the same cells that develop into the prostate gland in males. Sometimes they’re called the female prostate.
The Skene’s glands are responsible for producing a milky liquid that lubricates the opening of the urethra. These glands may produce female ejaculation during an orgasm.
Female urethral adenocarcinoma (FUA) is a very rare and aggressive type of cancer, causing large tumors that spread quickly. It does not usually cause symptoms in the early stages.
Once the tumor begins to grow and impact other organs and tissues, it may cause several symptoms. These may include:
- A nodule on the labia
- Painful urination
- Weak urine flow
- Strong urge to urinate
- Inability to fully empty your bladder
- Difficulty urinating
- Urinary leakage
- Blood in your urine
- Waking up at night to go pee
- Vaginal pain or discomfort
Many symptoms of Skene’s gland cancer are similar to prostate cancer symptoms, which include blood in the urine or semen, trouble urinating or frequent urination with a weak flow, and erectile dysfunction.
Other, less serious conditions can also affect the Skene’s glands. Health conditions that may impact these glands include:
- Cysts: Fluid-filled sacs called cysts can develop inside the Skene’s glands. These cysts are usually small and don’t cause pain. If the cyst grows, it may cause pain, a lump, and urinary problems.
- Abscess: When a cyst forms due to a bacterial infection, it can be filled with pus. An infected cyst is known as an abscess. A healthcare provider can treat an abscess by draining it with a needle or surgery. You may also require antibiotics.
- Urinary tract infection (UTI): A UTI can occur in the urethra. Because the Skene’s glands are located on either side of the urethra, the infection may spread to them. Common UTI symptoms include frequent urination, pain with urination, and cloudy or foul-smelling pee. A healthcare provider can prescribe antibiotics to cure a UTI.
- Skenitis: An infection of the Skene’s glands is called skenitis. The most common cause is gonorrhea. Symptoms may include pelvic pain and pain with urination and sex.
- Adenofibroma: An adenofibroma is a noncancerous tumor that can develop in the uterus, ovaries, or breasts in people who have reached menopause. Because the tumor can affect glandular tissues, it may develop in the Skene’s glands, though it’s rare. Adenocarcinomas may cause pain with urination or sex.
Skene’s gland cancer and other conditions affecting the glands may require treatment. See a healthcare provider if you develop any symptoms of a UTI or Skene’s gland condition, such as:
- Pain with urination
- Difficulty urinating
- Frequent urination
- Blood in your urine
- Cloudy or foul-smelling pee
- Pain with sex
- Pelvic pain
- Abnormal vaginal discharge
Treatment options for Skene’s gland cancer or female urethral adenocarcinoma usually include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. A surgeon can remove early-stage tumors with a surgical procedure called transurethral local resection. Larger tumors that have spread beyond the Skene’s glands often require chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
The average survival time for people with early-stage Skene’s gland cancer is about eight years. The survival time for advanced cancer is about three years with treatment.
Skene’s gland cancer, known as female urethral adenocarcinoma (FUA), is a rare cancer that develops in the Skene’s glands, located on either side of the urethra. The Skene’s glands, sometimes referred to as the female prostate, can also become infected or develop cysts. See a healthcare provider if you develop any urinary problems, such as pain with urination, frequent urination, or cloudy urine with a foul smell.
