Bartholin Gland Cancers

[ckr]

Yesterday, I saw my gyno for what I thought was an abscess of my R Batholin gland.  It wasn't an abscess.  It wasn't a cyst.  It was marsupialized no drainage.  It is just a big lump.  It was a small lump in August and I just thought it would "come to a head".  But, it didn't it just grew deep in the Labia Majora.

To my surprise, biopsies were taken!  Why haven't we been told about cancer in the glands of Batholin and how to examine ourselves.  I guess it is not life-threatening because no one has set up a "cause" for it.

Where can I get more information on self-exam and types of cancer?

Thanks.

[neety41]

I had what was thought to be a bartholins cyst last year but turned out to be an 8cm Aggressive Angiomyxoma, this is a very rare tumour with only 150 cases worldwide approx!  My gland was removed along with the tumour and i still have 4.5cm of this inside me for which i take tamoxifen.  The tumour grows deep inside the pelvic floor/abdo/buttock and is difficult to remove in one piece.  Make sure histology is correct as this is often misdiagnosed

[zina555]

Please explain the symptoms that lead you to the doctor.  I have been told that I had a Gardenerella infection.  I was told that I have PID.  I have taken Cypro, Flagyl, got a shot of something in my rear, and took Doxycycling.  All standard STD tests were negative.   I was told that some women just have pain during sex and this could be because my parter is large.  I have never had these symptoms before, and despite all the medication my glands keep swelling.  It is painful to sit. I have specific pain and, at other times, generalized pain in the area.  I also have pee issues, I go constantly.  I have burning at times.  Does any of this sound like what any of you experienced?

[ckr]

Good for you!  Too many of us do not take things "one step further."

My GP, who is well-respected, made an appointment for me at an urgent care facility for my Transvaginal Ultra Sound.  I said "no." and I found a wonderful GYN/ONCO (head of Medical University GYN/ONCO Dept.) who is truly interested in another problem I have, the symptoms of ovarian cancer.  He is an older, experienced doctor who has seen it all.  So, far the CA125 is very low and my TVUS was negative.  But, there is unexplained pain and bloating.  Colonoscopy was negative.  So, my GYN/ONCO is willing to "keep an eye on things" in case it is the very early stages of ovarian cancer.  He is patient.

Yes, sometimes it is difficult when it all comes at once.  I always feel thankful that what health problems I do have are less than those who are sufferiong and those who are totally incapacitated  Thank you for sharing your story!

All the best,
Carolyn

[neety41]

It might not be what i have and not many doctors are aware of it, i was initially diagnosed with a bartholins cyst, then histology said it was an angiomyofibroblastoma, I researched it myself and it took me 10 months to convince my gyn to refer me to an onc who had researched aggressive angiomyxoma and he confirmed my suspicions.  It's unlikely to kill me I have to say, this tumour has only metastasized twice so is classed as benign but it does grow back if removed so i didn't see any point putting myself thru more surgery for it to return anyway, hence the tamoxifen.  My bartholins gland had to be removed as well and i had problems healing afterwards but all is well in that dept now, (just had ovaries removed tho for a different reason), i feel that someone has it in for me!!  good luck x

[ckr]

Dr. Johnson,

Can you give further information or expound on this topic?

Thank you,
Carolyn

[ckr]

Hi,
Thank you for your comment.  I sincerely hope and pray that your tumour is held at bay.  Two doctors are watching my B gland very closely and took multiple biopsies from different areas which were sent to a very reliable lab.  Sebaceous material was found among the biopsies.  

It is healing well.  However, if there is another reoccurence, I am told the gland will have to come out.

Apparently, there are a number of cancers that can grow in these glands.

I am having a CT for unexplained abdominal pain and ovarian cancer symptoms as a follow up to the Transvaginal ultrasound which showed very small ovaries.

There is hardly anything at all about B gland cancers, examing oneself monthly and my GP certainly did not examine the glands during my annual pelvic 8 weeks ago!  There needs to be more on this subject.  God bless you and thank you for your good advice.

Carolyn