Bartholin cancer

Hi Dhd1961 Debra, and welcome to the group.

I haven’t had the same experience myself, but I can understand why you’re concerned by something which is unusual for you and hasn’t been cleared by antibiotics.This group is not a very busy one, and I keep an eye on it as I’ve been through gynaecological cancer and extensive surgery, to make sure that new members know their posts have been seen and acknowledged.

Batholin gland cancer is very rare, and so there aren’t many posts about it. You can look for any previous posts by going to the search function (magnifying glass at the top left of the page) and typing “bartholin cancer”. Posts about anything connected with the Bartholin gland tend to be in the Vulva Cancer Forum

At the moment, no-one seems certain what this is, so I’d recommend that you do ask to be seen again by gynaecology (not your gp) if this lump persists. I’m hoping you’ve been given a number you can call from your visit there?

While this cancer is very rare, any kind of cancer needs to be ruled out, and that can only be done by testing-typically a biopsy and maybe some type of scan. It’s hard not to worry if you are reading dr google, and the issue with rarely seen cancers is that they might not be diagnosed quickly as they can be assumed to have a benign explanation. 

I’m not suggesting that you have cancer, but would recommend advocating for yourself and asking for more testing, which could hopefully put your mind at rest. Biopsies taken for testing would be able to say definitively if this is something to be concerned about, and IF there is cancer then it’s better to find this early to have any necessary treatment started. 

I hope you can be examined again if this lump doesn’t go away, and do please let us know how you get on. 

Sarah xx

Hi Dhd1961, 

 I had the same issues the gynaecologist x2 that I saw both said it was a cyst even though I had a reactive lymph node 4 inches away. I was back and forth to GP. My nurse @ GP’s was brilliant she sent me to hernia clinic they said it wasn’t a hernia it was a lymph node by that time it was the size of an egg. When it was removed it had SCC cancer in it. I as sent to a different hospital where i was told me it was Bartholin l gland cancer. This took 13 months. From my first gynaecologist app. This is my story hopefully yours will be a cyst.
PLEASE DONT LET THEM FOB YOU OFF. 

That was 2022 I started my treatment in January 2024 5 weeks of radiotherapy and 5 chemotherapy then 4days down in Watford for brachytherapy. The cancer is still in remission finger crossed. 

Thank you fir your reply. I have contacted my GP and explained what had gone on, she was actually shocked as she thought they would have done a biopsy. So she has fast tracked me to " suspected Cancer" and hopefully I'll be seen soon.  It's quite big and uncomfortable, but no pain whatsoever and it's not inflamed. 

It shouldn’t be too long to wait to be seen on the suspected cancer pathway-it doesn’t mean it is cancer, but it is something that needs testing, and I agree with Britney -please don’t let yourself be fobbed off. 

Sarah xx

Thank you

Dhd1961,

so glad your GP is not leaving it my nurse is as the same very stocked that a biopsy wasn’t done and I was fast tracked as cancer referral to begin with.  but they didn’t listen to her. My lump wasn’t that big and on outside  could only feel it when I was stood up. When lying down it disappeared. But the internal was a long mass and  was a lot bigger went up along side my back passed. Which even the hernia specialist missed when he examined me. 
mine was the same uncomfortable not painful. It was stage 3 Bartholin gland cancer and sage 4 lymph node squamous cell carcinoma in both. Which baffled the specialist 

take care and please let me know how you get on 

I have an appointment on the 21st so hopefully will know something then. Mine is quite big also, but not painful whatsoever. I just can't believe that the doctor asked the registrar to examine it, but he/she ( didn't come) they told the doctor to advise me to carry on putting a hot flannel on it and to go back in 3 weeks, if no change !   I've already had antibiotics and put a hot flannel on it for the past 3 weeks, yet it's still the same. 

Luckily my own doctor wasn't happy and fast tracked me.   

I hope all goes well on the 21st and you get some answers or at least a swab & tests booked.  Take care