Bartholin's gland adenosquamous carcinoma

Common Signs and Symptoms

Bartholin's gland adenosquamous carcinoma, a rare type of cancer, can manifest in various ways. While symptoms may not always be present, the following are commonly reported:

• Painless mass: A lump or swelling on one side of the vaginal opening, which can be small or large [10].
• Visible tumor: A visible growth on the posterior half of the vulva [10].
• Lumps or bumps: Flesh-colored, white, red, or pink lumps or bumps on the vulva [11].

Other Possible Symptoms

While less common, some individuals may experience:

• Painful nodule: Painful swelling in the Bartholin's gland area, which can be confused with a cyst or abscess [6].
• Itching and burning sensations: Severe itching, burning, and pain on the vulva [7].

Important Notes

• Adenosquamous carcinoma of the Bartholin gland is a rare cause of vulval cancer, accounting for 2-7% of cases [10].
• Symptoms may not always be present, and the condition can be asymptomatic in many cases [13].

These signs and symptoms are based on information from various medical sources, including:

[6] M Akbarzadeh-Jahromi · 2014 · Cited by 17 [7] Various online health resources [10] Signs — skin-coloured, white, red, or pigmented; ... Bartholin gland carcinoma is a rare cause of vulval cancer (2–7%) presenting in women aged 40–50 years. [11] Moles on the vulva; Lumps or bumps (flesh-colored, white, red, or pink) on the vulva ... [13] Adenosquamous Carcinoma of Bartholin Gland: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Complications, Treatment, Prevention, and Prognosis.

To diagnose Bartholin's gland adenosquamous carcinoma, several diagnostic tests can be performed.

• Biopsy: A biopsy is required to confirm the diagnosis of malignancy in patients with a suspected Bartholin mass [4]. This involves taking a sample of tissue from the affected area for examination under a microscope.
• Pelvic Examination and Culture: A medical history, pelvic examination, and culture of the cyst contents (in the case of an atypical Bartholin gland cyst) are also important in evaluating a suspected Bartholin's gland mass [5].
• Imaging Studies: Imaging studies such as MRI with contrast can be used to identify malignant lymph nodes in vulval cancer, although its sensitivity is only 40-50% [6]. CT-TAP and CT-PET scans may provide additional information.
• Cystoscopy and Proctoscopy: These tests use a small instrument with a video camera inside the bladder or rectum to check for signs of cancer.
• CT Scan and MRI: A CT scan and MRI can also be used to evaluate the extent of disease and identify any metastasis [8].
• Colposcopy and Excisional Biopsy: These tests are used to examine the vulva and vagina for abnormal cell growth, and may involve taking a sample of tissue for further examination.

It's worth noting that early diagnosis by biopsy is recommended to rule out underlying carcinoma in patients with a mass in the Bartholin's gland [6].

The differential diagnosis for Bartholin's gland adenosquamous carcinoma includes a range of conditions that can present with similar symptoms and characteristics.

Common Differential Diagnoses

• Bartholin's gland cyst or abscess: These are the most common benign lesions affecting the Bartholin glands, and they can be difficult to distinguish from malignant tumors based on clinical presentation alone [1].
• Vulvar endometriosis: This is a rare condition in which endometrial tissue grows outside the uterus, and it can cause symptoms similar to those of Bartholin's gland adenosquamous carcinoma [12].
• Infectious etiologies: Conditions such as syphilis and chancroid can present with similar symptoms to Bartholin's gland adenosquamous carcinoma, making them important differential diagnoses [12].

Rare Differential Diagnoses

• Adenocarcinoma of the Bartholin gland: This is a rare type of cancer that affects the Bartholin glands, and it can be difficult to distinguish from adenosquamous carcinoma based on histological examination alone [5].
• Squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva: This is another type of cancer that can affect the vulva, and it can present with similar symptoms to Bartholin's gland adenosquamous carcinoma [6].

Key Points

• The differential diagnosis for Bartholin's gland adenosquamous carcinoma includes a range of benign and malignant conditions.
• A thorough clinical evaluation and histological examination are necessary to distinguish between these conditions.
• Accurate diagnosis is critical for determining the most effective treatment plan.

References:

[1] Jain S, Laflamme N, Vigneault É. Management of Bartholin's gland carcinoma using high-dose-rate interstitial brachytherapy boost. Brachytherapy. 2013 Sep-Oct;12(5):500-7.

[5] Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is mostly found in the salivary glands but can also occur in the esophagius, breast, lungs/bronchus, prostate, and lacrimal glands. Primary ACC of the Bartholin’s gland (BG-ACC) is rare, accounting for about 10% of adenocarcinoma of Bartholin’s gland and 0.1% to 5% of malignant tumors of the vulva.

[6] Apr 2, 2024 — Rare carcinoma arising from the Bartholin gland · These can be squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, adenoid cystic carcinoma or other rare ...