Carcinoma of the vulva: analysis of treatment failures.
Continuous follow-up of 224 patients treated for primary invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva in a 20-year period (1955 to 1975) at the Mayo Clinic resulted in the detection of recurrent (or persistent) neoplasia in 59 (26%). Rates of treatment failure increased with advancing stage of disease-from 14% for Stage I to 71% for Stage IV. The rate of local vulvar recurrence was 18%, which was about three times greater than the recurrence rates for the groin, pelvis, and distant sites. However, the 1- and 5-year survival rates of 73% and 50%, respectively, after vulvar recurrence were in sharp contrast to the corresponding rates of 34% and 10% for regional or distant recurrence. When 35 patients with central vulvar extension of disease were evaluated, groups at excessive risk for treatment failure (lesions 4 cm or larger inguinal node involvement, or both) were identified and modifications in conventional therapy applicable to these groups were considered.
D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000401:mortality* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000401:mortality*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D013997:Time Factors; D014846:Vulvar Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality* / Q000628:therapy