Ectopic Prostate in the Uterine Cervix / Female Genital Tract Including Vagina and Vulva: A Review of the Literature

Background: Men are known to have prostate glands but not women. The thought of prostate gland occurring in the female genital tract in women would be petrifying to all clinicians and people who are not aware of its biological behavior. Ectopic prostate in the uterine cervix (EPIUC) and the female genital tract (FGT) is very rare.

Aim: To review the literature on EPIUC/FGT and to document its biological behavior.

Methods: Information obtained from 17 references, was used for the literature review on EPIUC/FGT.

Results: Few cases of EPIUC/FGT have been reported at ages ranging between 21 and 82 years EPIUCs/FGTs may be diagnosed incidentally in biopsies of the cervix/vagina/vulva, or in hysterectomy specimens or they may mimic leiomyomas. Histological examination of cervical biopsies or of the cervix in hysterectomy specimens reveals ducts and acini some papillary or cribriform, with prominent squamous metaplasia EPIUCs/FGTs show positive Immunohisto-chemical staining for prostate specific antigen (PSA), prostatic-specific acid phosphatase (PSAP [PAP]), high molecular weight keratin (for basal cells). EPIUCs reported so far have exhibited benign behavior.

Conclusions: Information obtained from the literature would indicate that EPIUCs / FGTs are rare and so far have exhibited benign behavior. Clinicians should report cases of EPIUC/FGT in order to establish whether or not EPIUCs/FGTs may or may not develop into carcinomas in the future.