Dermal lymphangiomata of the vulva and laser therapy: a case report and literature review

Abstract

Dermal lymphangioma of the vulva is a rare disorder of the lymphatic system. The mainstay of therapy has been vulvectomy. A 65-year-old woman with a remote history of cervical cancer who successfully underwent CO2 laser vaporization for extensive vulva lymphangiomata, and a literature review inclusive of all 28 previously reported cases are described. Ten (35.7%) of these patients had previously received pelvic radiation for cervical cancer, 8 of whom (80%) had also undergone radical hysterectomy. Including the present case, 5 patients, 3 of whom had previously received radiation therapy, have been treated successfully with laser therapy. These data support laser vaporization with retreatment of persistent or recurrent focal disease as the treatment of choice for dermal lymphangiomata. Surgical excision should be reserved for treatment failures. Radical hysterectomy in association with postoperative pelvic radiation therapy appears to be an important, previously unrecognized risk factor for its development.