Recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the Bartholin's duct treated with en bloc resection

Bartholin gland cancer

INTRODUCTION

Bartholin gland carcinoma is an extremely rare condition. Because of its, phase III trials have not been carried out, there exists no unanimous consensus on treatment and guidelines are missing.

METHODS

All studies reporting cases of Bartholin cancer were collected and screened for the evaluations. Baseline characteristics of studies were extracted and were queried in a database.

RESULTS

A total number of 133 manuscripts collected were available for the review process, representing a total number of 275 reported cases. The histological type of Bartholin gland cancer was specified in 90.4% cases: 30.7% cases were squamous cell carcinoma, 29.6% adenoid cystic carcinoma, 25% adenocarcinomas. At multivariate analysis adenocarcinoma histotype and positive lymph node were statistical correlated with worse prognosis.

CONCLUSION

Bartholin gland cancer remains a challenge for gynecologic oncologists. To better understand and treat this disease, centralization to referral centers and design of multi institutional trials is crucial.

[Bartholin's gland carcinoma]

Bartholin gland carcinoma is a rare tumor. Treatment is not consensual due to the absence of prospective and randomized controlled trials. Bartholin gland carcinoma is actually treated similarly to primary median squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva. Here we report two cases of 42- and 67-year-old females who developed respectively an adenoid cystic carcinoma, and a squamous carcinoma of Bartholin gland.

The problem of accurate initial diagnosis of Bartholin's gland carcinoma resulting in delayed treatment and aggressive course of the disease

Carcinoma of the Bartholin's gland is a rare lesion accounting for only 5% of all vulvar cancers. Initial diagnosis of Bartholin's gland cancer (BGC) and recurrence after primary radical surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy poses a challenge in the treatment of BGC. This case report presents a particularly aggressive course of BGC. Spontaneous rupture of the femoral artery in the postoperative period was observed. The length of the survival period from the moment of diagnosis amounted to less than 16 months. Aspects of initial diagnosis problem and treatment options in groin recurrence of vulvar carcinoma and vascular complications are discussed.

Carcinoma of the vulva

Vulvar cancer will probably become a more common disease as the population ages. It is primarily a disease of the elderly. Fortunately, most vulvar cancers remain localized for extended periods of time and can be treated adequately with radical surgery.