SKENES GLAND ADENOCARCINOMA WITH INCREASED SERUM LEVEL OF PROSTATE-SPECIFIC ANTIGEN

Skene's (periurethral) gland carcinoma is a rare neoplasm accounting f or less than 0.003% of all genital tract malignancies in females. Gene rally, adenocarcinomas of the female urethra are assumed to arise from the periurethral glands, the female homologue of the prostate. A case of Skene's gland adenocarcinoma without mucosal urethral involvement is presented. The histologic features of this tumor closely resembled those of prostatic adenocarcinoma. In contrast, clear cell and columna r/mucinous variants of female urethral adenocarcinomas have been descr ibed previously. Perhaps this signifies different biologic processes i n the development of Skene's/periurethral and urethral adenocarcinomas in females. Additionally, we performed immunohistochemical staining t hat was reactive for prostate-specific antigen (PSA). Preoperatively, the serum level of PSA was increased and promptly decreased after surg ical excision of the lesion. Therefore, preoperative and postoperative monitoring of serum PSA titers in patients with adenocarcinomas of th e female urethra or periurethral glands (or both) should be considered . (C) 1994 Academic Press,Inc.