Apocrine Adenocarcinoma of the Vulva

Abstract

Cutaneous vulvar carcinomas are predominantly of squamous cell carcinoma type. Primary vulvar adenocarcinomas are rare with a poorly understood histogenesis. They are classified into extramammary Paget’s disease, sweat gland carcinomas, and breast-like adenocarcinomas of the vulva. Adenocarcinomas, originating from Bartholin glands, can also present as vulvar adenocarcinoma. Rare adenocarcinomas with apocrine features have been described in the literature. The origin of these neoplasms from the native apocrine sweat glands or from anogenital mammary-like glands is still debatable. We report herein a case of a 67 year old female with a rare primary apocrine carcinoma of the vulva.