Stage I carcinoma of the Bartholin's gland managed with the detection of inguinal and pelvic sentinel lymph node.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Primary carcinoma of the Bartholin's gland is rare, consequently standard management is not clear. Although the sentinel concept has gained popularity for other malignancies of the female reproductive tract, the literature lacks reports of this approach for carcinomas of the Bartholin's gland. CASE We present a patient with stage I adenocarcinoma of the Bartholin's gland. She was managed with wide excision and inguinal and laparoscopic pelvic sentinel lymphadenectomy followed by complete pelvic lymphadenectomy. We discuss the rationale for the sentinel concept. CONCLUSION: As for other gynaecological malignancies the sentinel lymphadenectomy seems to be an appropriate and feasible surgical approach for early stage carcinomas of the Bartholin's gland.