title: The prognostic significance of micrometastases in node-negative squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva.
abstract: Nodal involvement is one of the most significant prognostic factors in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the vulva. We conducted a retrospective analysis of 31 women with histologically node-negative SCC from a population-based cohort of Grampian women. Median follow-up was 42 months after radical vulvectomy with groin node dissection. In total, 13 women (42%) were found to have micrometastases on immunohistochemistry. The risk of recurrence was almost 20-fold higher in those with micrometastases compared to those without (hazard ratio=19.6 (95% CI 2.3-171).
authors.affiliation: Gynaecology Oncology Unit, Ward 43, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, AB25 2ZN, UK. gnarayansingh@nhs.net
authors.forename: G V
authors.initials: GV
authors.lastname: Narayansingh
authors.forename: I D
authors.initials: ID
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Welch
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sharp
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Parkin
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Cruickshank
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007633:Keratins / Q000378:metabolism; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014846:Vulvar Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D007633:Keratins