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Apr 2, 2018 · Wives of Men with Prostate Cancer Express Concerns with Their 'New Normal' Too. Author (s): Brielle Benyon. Women felt that they could not show emotions of fear or vulnerability in front of their husbands or children. A prostate cancer diagnosis can often have effects of sexual impairment, psychosocial issues and financial toxicities for men.
- Overview
- Can women develop prostate cancer?
- What symptoms indicate an issue with the female prostate?
- What’s the purpose of the female prostate?
- Outlook
Do women have a prostate gland?
You may have heard people talk about the female prostate gland. But women don’t actually have a prostate gland. Instead, the female “prostate” is often used to refer to small glands on the front side of the vagina and corresponding ducts sometimes called “Skene’s glands” or “Skene’s ducts.” They are named after Alexander Skene, who described these structures in detail in the late 1800s. Researchers are now discovering ways they are like a man’s prostate, so the name “female prostate” has become more popular.
One of the similarities is related to the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and PSA phosphatase (PSAP). PSA and PSAP are present in both the male prostate and the Skene’s glands. It’s not clear whether the female “prostate” glands drain only into small ducts on each side of the urethra or the urethra itself. The urethra is the tube that carries urine outside of the body. In either case, the female prostate gland is considered a functional part of a woman’s genital and urinary system.
So, if the female prostate gland shares similarities with the male prostate gland, does that mean women can develop prostate cancer?
Cancer of the female prostate is rare. One older study estimates that cancer of the Skene’s glands accounts for 0.003 percent of cancers in the female genital-urinary tract. It’s also possible that cancer of nearby organs, like the urethra, can originate in the Skene’s glands.
In one case, painless long-term blood in the urine prompted a woman to seek medical attention. The cancer in her prostate gland was treated with radiation and her symptoms cleared. Surgery also may be used to treat cancer of the Skene’s glands, depending on the type of cancer and how far it has spread.
Because this type of cancer is rare, there aren’t a lot of case studies. That means recognizing symptoms of this type of cancer may be difficult.
If you experience bleeding out of your urethra, you should see a doctor. That may be a symptom of cancer of the Skene’s glands. Or it’s more likely a symptom of another issue with your urethra. The bleeding may not be accompanied by any pain, and it may happen on and off over a period of time.
It’s always best to see a doctor if you notice any abnormal symptoms, especially if they recur. Early diagnosis can help improve your outlook for most conditions. You should see your doctor if you have any of these symptoms, which could indicate other conditions:
•painful or frequent urination, or if it’s difficult to pass urine
•blood in your urine, or passing blood from your urethra
•painful sexual intercourse
In recent years, MRI has helped to clarify the appearance and function of the female prostate. More research is needed, but researchers are starting to get a better understanding of these glands.
In men, the prostate gland is suspected of being able to store infection in the body. That fact makes researchers wonder whether the Skene’s glands serve a similar function. How that might work in men or women is important to know as doctors try to find how infection works in people who are HIV-positive, for example.
Researchers also are interested that the female prostate produces PSA. The presence of PSA is one of the indicators of prostate cancer in men. It also shows up in women who have certain types of breast cancer. It may be that the role of PSA in both men and women is more complicated than we understand.
Elevated PSA levels before treatment for cancer of the Skene’s glands, and declining levels after, were found in cases where people received radiation or surgery. This pattern of high and low levels of PSA is so typical of cancer treatment that doctors are advised to check PSA levels during treatment.
Like the male prostate, the Skene’s glands, sometimes called the female prostate, produce the hormone PSA. These glands are also believed to have a role in the regulation of the reproductive system in both men and women.
Some researchers believe the female prostate has a role in sexual arousal, but that theory is controversial. Cancer and other conditions that affect the female prostate are rare. It’s possible that the reported cases of these conditions will grow as research and new technology expand understanding of the female prostate.
- Elizabeth Connor
Oct 24, 2014 · The Cancer Letter asked Lawrence Einhorn, distinguished professor of medicine and the Livestrong Foundation Professor of Medicine at the Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center, to reflect on one of the most spectacular successes in the history of cancer research—his development of the curative regimen for testicular cancer. Einhorn spoke with Matthew Ong, […]
Feb 26, 2020 · Female Prostate Cancer Explained. Though the female body doesn’t have a prostate gland, it does have Skene glands. Next, Flo uncovers their subtle differences and shows that female prostate cancer is anything but a myth.
Oct 3, 2024 · October 3, 2024. Testicular Cancer 101. Dr. Lawrence Einhorn’s name is synonymous with hope for many battling testicular cancer. Over the past 50 years, his groundbreaking work has transformed what was once a bleak prognosis into a story of survival and triumph for countless individuals. Join us as we explore the journey of this remarkable ...
Sep 15, 2023 · Yes. Anyone who has a prostate, including transgender women and nonbinary people assigned male at birth, can get prostate cancer. Even if you’ve had some type of gender-affirming genital surgery ...
People also ask
Is female prostate cancer a myth?
Is there cancer in the female prostate?
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How does the female prostate work?
Does prostate cancer affect wives and partners?
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May 10, 2021 · Female prostate cancer is “extremely rare,” according to 2017 research. According to older research, from 1994, cancer of the Skene’s glands accounted for about 0.003% of all reported cancer ...
