[Primary cancer of Bartholin's gland]

Carcinoma of Bartholin's gland is an extremely rare tumour representing approximately between 1% and 7% of the cases of cancer of the vulva. The aetiology of the tumour, which can be subdivided by means of light microscopy into squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, adenoid cystic carcinoma and adenoacanthoma, remains unknown. Surgical and radiotherapeutic treatment is possible also in combination. If primary operative therapy is chosen, inguinal lymphadenectomy is required as usually suggested in all cases of cancer of the vulva; the metastatic involvement of the inguinal lymph nodes is regarded as the main prognostic determinant: if only one inguinal node has microscopic metastases, a five-year survival rate between 60% and 70% can be achieved in a selected operative group of patients. If more than four positive groin nodes are histologically diagnosed the survival rate - according to current results, not subdivided into different alternatives of therapy - is below 20%.