Contralateral groin recurrence in patients with stage I Bartholin's gland squamous cell carcinoma and negative ipsilateral nodes: Report on two cases and implications for lymphadenectomy

Background. Modalities of inguinal lymphadenectomy in patients with early stage Bartholin's gland squamous cell carcinoma (BGC) remain discussed. The aim of this paper is to report 2 patients with stage 1 BGC and negative ipsilateral groin nodes who developed a contralateral groin recurrence. Cases. Two patients treated for BGC and undergoing an ipsilateral groin nodes dissection (with absence of nodal involvement) presented contralateral groin recurrence. These recurrences were observed 14 and 3 months after the initial treatment in the first and second case. In the first case, the nodal recurrence was associated with a local vaginal recurrence. Conclusions. These 2 cases suggest that « cross » groin nodal involvement can occur, even in patients with early stage BGC. Bilateral groin dissection should be performed in patients with BGC.