Histochemical and cytochemical studies of metastasizing carcinoma of Bartholin's gland.

A case of adenocarcinoma of Bartholin's glands in a middle aged female is presented. This well known, but rather uncommon malignancy is reported since it shows an unusual structure consisting of a combination of two different histological entities, namely an adeno-cystic component and adenopapillary component. An interval of 21 years elapsed between the appearance of the primary lesion and the recurrence which showed extensive haematogenous and lymphogenous metastases and proved fatal within two years of the recurrence. The study includes an enzyme histochemical evaluation and a fine needle cytological examination. The former revealed a high degree of activity of the NADP+ regenerating enzymes of the pentose shunt as well as a definite, but variable, activity of many lysosomal enzymes, mainly non specific esterases, acid phosphatase, aryl sulphatase and beta-glucuronidase. In contrast to other adenocarcinomas arising in the female genital tract, especially those of endometrium and ovary, the tumour cells showed only a slight activity of alkaline phosphatase, As is the case in many other adenocarcinomas, the activity of lactate dehydrogenase was strongly evident.