Primary Invasive Vulvar Cancer, Retrospective Study of 23 cases.
- Author:
Shin Wha LEE
1
;
Min Hyung JUNG
;
Kue Rye KIM
;
Hang Jo YOO
;
Dae Yeon KIM
;
Jong Hyeok KIM
;
Yong Man KIM
;
Young Tak KIM
;
Joo Hyun NAM
;
Jung Eun MOK
Author Information
1. Department of Obstetric and Gynecology, College of Medicine, University of Ulsan, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea. ymkim@amc.seoul.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Vulva;
Vulvar cancer
- MeSH:
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell;
Chungcheongnam-do;
Drug Therapy;
Early Diagnosis;
Female;
Groin;
Humans;
Incidence;
Lymph Node Excision;
Mortality;
Postoperative Complications;
Prognosis;
Pruritus;
Radiotherapy;
Radiotherapy, Adjuvant;
Retrospective Studies*;
Vulva;
Vulvar Neoplasms*;
Wounds and Injuries
- From:Korean Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
2005;48(3):589-596
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE: The vulvar cancer is an uncommon disease among female population. Because of its rare incidence, sufficient clinical studies have not been accomplished. However, the prevelance of vulvar cancer will continue to increase because of rapid growth of senile population. The goal of this study is to review the clinical outcome and prognosis of patients with vulvar cancer through the analysis of their clinical data. METHODS: We have performed a retrospective clinical study on 23 patients diagnosed with primary invasive vulvar cancer at Asan medical center from May, 1989 to December, 2003. We reviewed demographic data, pathologic findings, treatments, stages, complications, prognosis and survival time. RESULTS: The mean age was 58.9 years. The most common symptoms were palpable mass (69.5%) and itching sense (21.7%). Among the 23 patients, 21 patients have underwent operation, and two patients who refused to receive operation underwent radiotherapy only. 3 of 21 patients who were surgically treated underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and 5 patients, adjuvant radiotherapy. Histopathologically, squamous cell carcinoma (69.5%) was dominant, and 15 patients turned out to have stage II disease or greater (60.8%). Among the 21 patients who have underwent operation, postoperative complications occurred in 8 patients (38.0%) and 4 of them had underwent radical vulvectomy and bilateral groin lymph node dissection. The most common postoperative complication was wound breakdown (23.8%). CONCLUSION: Although surgery is the principal treatment in vulvar cancer, radical vulvectomy and bilateral groin lymph node dissection more often result in complications than other operations such as wide local excision and hemivulvectomy. Considering the mortality and morbidity, the prognosis of vulvar cancer is poor, but early diagnosis and adequate treatment according to each individual will improve the outcome and prognosis of vulvar cancer.
