Adeno-squamous carcinoma of bartholin gland: Challenges in diagnosis and management of a less known vulvar cancer – A case report

Abstract

Bartholin gland carcinoma is one of the less common histology accounting for 0.1 – 5 % of all vulvar malignancies and is mostly seen in postmenopausal women. It accounts for 0.001 % of all female malignancies. Clinical presentation is delayed to its deep-seated position in vulva. It has a propensity for frequent recurrences and distant metastases. Owing to the disease rarity, there are no well-defined management guidelines. We describe here the challenges in diagnosis and management of a case of adeno-squamous carcinoma of bartholin gland in a postmenopausal woman. Unlike the usual presentation, our case presented in an early stage with symptom of itching per vaginum. Radical surgery was the primary treatment modality with no requirement for adjuvant treatment and the patient is disease free at two years post treatment. However, adeno-squamous carcinoma of vulva has a propensity for perineural invasion and early nodal metastases and a dismal five-year survival.