title: Stage IV carcinoma of the Bartholin gland managed with primary chemoradiation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Optimal management of carcinoma of the Bartholin gland is not yet defined. Patients with locally advanced disease have historically been managed by radical and, occasionally, exenterative surgery. Although the management of advanced vulvar cancer has shifted toward conservative management with primary chemoradiation, there is limited information on the similar approach to the management of advanced Bartholin's gland carcinoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  We present a woman with stage IVA basaloid squamous carcinoma of the Bartholin gland. She was managed with primary chemoradiation in an attempt to spare her the morbidity associated with exenterative surgery. We discuss a rationale for the use of chemoradiation in advanced Bartholin's gland carcinoma.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Conservative management of advanced carcinoma of the Bartholin gland with primary chemoradiation may be appropriate while sparing patients the sequelae of exenterative surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, The University of Minnesota, 420 Delaware Street SE, MMC 395, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55404, USA. downs008@umn.edu
authors.forename: Levi S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Downs
authors.forename: Kris
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ghosh
authors.forename: Kathryn E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Dusenbery
authors.forename: Jonathan A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Cosin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001472:Bartholin's Glands / Q000473:pathology*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D014846:Vulvar Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery