Human papillomavirus type 16 found in primary transitional cell carcinoma of the Bartholin's gland and in a lymph node metastasis

We report a case of primary transitional cell carcinoma of the Bartholin's gland and its lymph node metastasis that contained HPV 16 sequences by polymerase chain reaction. The physical state of HPV 16 DNA in the primary cancer was investigated by Southern blot analysis which showed the presence of the episomal form of viral DNA. Our findings of HPV 16 DNA in the transitional cell carcinoma of the Bartholin's gland and its metastasis would indicate that both tumors arose from a single clonal event, thus providing evidence that the HPV 16 may have an oncogenic potential in this rare malignancy even in the episomal state.