Skene's Gland Adenocarcinoma: Borrowing From Prostate Cancer Experience for the Evaluation and Management of a Rare Malignancy

Urology. 2021 May:151:182-187. doi: 10.1016/j.urology.2020.05.032. Epub 2020 Jun 3.

Abstract

Objective: To determine if adenocarcinoma of the Skene's glands in women, which has a histological and immunohistochemical appearance similar to prostate cancer, can be evaluated and managed with the same tools we use for prostate cancer.

Methods: Serum prostate-specific antigen kinetics, 3D multiparametric (MP) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), fluciclovine F-18 positron emission tomography (PET), and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) were employed in a case of Skene's gland adenocarcinoma.

Results: The 3D MP MRI clarified the anatomy of the primary lesion and fluciclovine F-18 PET significantly improved our ability to stage the tumor prompting pelvic lymph node dissection that may have otherwise not been performed. ADT resulted in a significant impact on prostate-specific antigen kinetics despite the patient having a testosterone level in the normal range for a postmenopausal woman.

Conclusion: Despite the rarity of Skene's gland adenocarcinoma, we can employ many of the tools at our disposal for the evaluation and management of prostate cancer to benefit the women found to have this malignancy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Adenocarcinoma / pathology*
  • Adenocarcinoma / therapy
  • Aged
  • Androgen Antagonists / therapeutic use
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Imaging, Three-Dimensional
  • Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Positron-Emission Tomography
  • Prostate-Specific Antigen / blood
  • Urethral Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Urethral Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Urethral Neoplasms / therapy

Substances

  • Androgen Antagonists
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal
  • Prostate-Specific Antigen