Prognostic factors for recurrence and survival in primary vulvar squamous cell cancer

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate survival estimates and clinico-pathological variables in women with primary vulvar squamous cancer.

Design: Retrospective observational study. Setting. University hospital in Turkey.

Population or sample: Patients treated for primary vulvar squamous cancer.

Methods: Retrospective evaluation of demographic, pathologic and follow-up data of 91 patients obtained from hospital records and private gynecologic oncology files.

Main outcome measures: Recurrence rate and survival estimates.

Results: The mean age at the time of diagnosis was 62 years. Of the women, 62% had early stage disease (stages I-II), while 39% had advanced stages (stages III-IV) at diagnosis. The overall recurrence rate was 13%. Recurrence rates were significantly higher in the presence of local wide-deep excision as an initial treatment, larger initial tumor size, positive lymph node involvement, advanced stage, presence of ulcerative lesions and adjuvant radiotherapy. The overall and 5-year survival estimates were 92 and 83%, respectively.

Conclusion: Lymph node invasion, stage, having ulcerative lesion, receiving adjuvant therapy, tumor diameter larger than 10 mm and having local excision as primary surgery may increase the risk of recurrent disease.