Case Report: Biologic graft placement with subsequent radiation therapy following radical vulvectomy for adenoid cystic carcinoma of the Bartholin’s gland

Abstract

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of the Bartholins gland, first described by Klob in 1864, is a rare form of vulvar cancer comprising approximately 2–7% of all invasive vulvar lesions (Cardosi, 2001). Treatment consists of excision followed by radiation therapy (Cardosi, 2001; Anaf, 1999; Barcellini, 2020). Progression is indolent with later recurrence and metastases in comparison to other forms of vulvar cancer (Yang, 2006). Resection remains the gold standard for treatment followed by radiation therapy if margins are positive (Cardosi, 2001; Yang, 2006; Chang et al., 2019). We present a case of ACC of the Bartholins gland that underwent radical vulvectomy and Surgisis graft placement due to the extent of disease resection. Radiation therapy was then pursued due to positive margins with no wound breakdown despite this being the most common complication of vulvectomy with or without radiation therapy (Leminen et al., 2000). To our knowledge this is only the second case of Cook Biodesign graft placement after vulvectomy and first case of subsequent local radiation therapy to the area.

Keywords

• Biologic graft placement
• Radical vulvectomy
• Radiation therapy