Report of two cases of adenoid cystic carcinoma of Bartholin's gland and review of literature

Abstract

To date, about 70 cases have been reported. We treated our second patient with antiestrogen therapy for 4 years and achieved good quality of life and stable disease status. However, further study on hormone therapy for ACC of Bartholin's gland is needed.

29-year-old with dyspareunia and vulvar mass: An unusual diagnosis of Bartholin's gland carcinoma

“…The most common complaints are burning pain, palpable mass, and swelling ( Akbarzadeh-Jahromi et al, 2014 ; Alsan et al, 2011 ; Bhalwal et al, 2016 ; Chamlian and Taylor, 1972 ; Hsu et al, 2013 ; Hwang et al, 2012 ; Nowak et al, 2014 ).The burning sensation is thought to be secondary to perineural involvement. Initial misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis may occur in up to 50% of patients ( Chamlian and Taylor, 1972 ) due to the overlap of these complaints with benign conditions, such as cyst or abscess ( Chamlian and Taylor, 1972 ; Hsu et al, 2013 ) or endometriosis ( Akbarzadeh-Jahromi et al, 2014 ). Adenoid cystic carcinoma has been reported in a large age range ( Alsan et al, 2011 ; Hsu et al, 2013 ; Yoon, et al, 2015 ), including the patient presented here who was only 29 years old.…”

“…Initial misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis may occur in up to 50% of patients ( Chamlian and Taylor, 1972 ) due to the overlap of these complaints with benign conditions, such as cyst or abscess ( Chamlian and Taylor, 1972 ; Hsu et al, 2013 ) or endometriosis ( Akbarzadeh-Jahromi et al, 2014 ). Adenoid cystic carcinoma has been reported in a large age range ( Alsan et al, 2011 ; Hsu et al, 2013 ; Yoon, et al, 2015 ), including the patient presented here who was only 29 years old. Classically, Bartholin's gland cancers are diagnosed in older or postmenopausal women.…”

A Case of Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma Mimicking a Bartholin Cyst and Literature Review

“…Few studies have trialled 5-fluorouracil, adriamycin, cyclophosphamide, cisplatin, CPT-11 (Irinotecan), methotrexate, and doxorubicin with varying efficacy [ 17 – 20 ]. A single patient trial of adjuvant Tamoxifen on metastatic BG-ACC delayed disease progression for 4 years while maintaining quality of life [ 21 ].…”

Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma of Bartholin’s Gland: What Is the Best Approach?

“…Clinically, an enlargement in the greater vestibular glands in postmenopausal women should raise suspicion of the presence of a tumor, and biopsy is recommended. ACC presents as a not friable mass on speculum examination, with a size ranging from 0.5 to 4 cm, and with a deeply infiltrative pattern of growth [7,[16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29].…”

“…Additionally, the prognostic role of margin status in ACC is still controversial. Still, up to 8% of all ACC of Bartholin' gland are unfit for surgery due to a wide local spread at presentation [7,20,33,48].…”