The male prostate gland is a well-known site for cancer development, but women do not possess this organ. Women have a homologous structure, meaning it developed from the same embryonic tissue as the male prostate, which can, in extremely rare instances, become cancerous. Understanding the distinct anatomies of both sexes clarifies this specific health concern.
Anatomical Difference: The Male Prostate
The prostate is an organ exclusive to the male reproductive system. This gland is situated directly beneath the bladder, encircling the urethra, the tube that carries urine and semen out of the body. Its primary role involves producing a fluid component of semen, which helps nourish and transport sperm during ejaculation. Because the urethra runs through the prostate, any enlargement or cancerous growth can directly impede the flow of urine, leading to common urinary symptoms.
Defining the Female Paraurethral Glands
While women lack a prostate, they possess structures called the paraurethral glands, also known as Skene’s glands. These glands are the embryological equivalent of the male prostate and are located within the tissue surrounding the distal portion of the female urethra. They drain into the urethral opening through small ducts, and their primary function is believed to involve mucus secretion for lubrication. Their tissue expresses prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP), showing a strong biological similarity to the prostate gland.
Cancer Risk in Paraurethral Glands
The paraurethral glands can, in exceptionally rare cases, develop a form of malignancy known as paraurethral adenocarcinoma. This cancer is so uncommon that it accounts for a tiny fraction of all genital tract cancers in women. Estimates suggest that only a few dozen cases have been reported in medical literature, highlighting its extreme rarity compared to the high incidence of prostate cancer in men. Because this rare cancer arises from tissue that is homologous to the prostate, its cellular structure and behavior often closely resemble that of male prostatic adenocarcinoma.
This similarity means that the tumor cells can express prostate markers like PSA, and in some patients, a high serum PSA level has been a diagnostic indicator. Monitoring PSA levels post-treatment can sometimes be useful for these patients, which is a method typically reserved for male prostate cancer surveillance. The rarity of paraurethral adenocarcinoma means that diagnosis can be challenging, often requiring specialized pathological evaluation. Tumors are typically small, and they are frequently found in older women. Treatment can involve surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, and therapies used for advanced male prostate cancer have been explored due to the shared biological origin of the tissues.
Symptom Overlap with Other Female Cancers
The symptoms of paraurethral malignancy often overlap with much more common female urological conditions, which can lead to initial confusion. Symptoms typically involve the lower urinary tract, such as difficulty or pain when urinating, a weak or interrupted urine stream, or the presence of blood in the urine. These signs are commonly associated with urinary tract infections (UTIs), urethral diverticulum, or other urethral and bladder cancers. Bladder cancer in women, for example, frequently presents with painless blood in the urine and an increased urge or frequency of urination. Any persistent urinary or pelvic symptoms, such as a noticeable lump near the urethra, should prompt a visit to a healthcare provider for a thorough examination.