Outcomes of Stage I/II vulvar cancer patients after negative superficial inguinal lymphadenectomy.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the patterns of recurrence associated with superficial inguinal lymphadenectomy (SupIL) and vulvectomy for patients with Stage I/II vulvar cancer.


METHODS
A retrospective chart review identified patients from 1990-2001 with Stage I/II vulvar cancer that underwent SupIL and vulvectomy. Survival was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method with Fisher Exact and Chi-square tests for comparisons between groups.


RESULTS
65 patients with Stage I/II vulvar cancer with a pathologically negative SupIL were identified (30 Stage I, 35 Stage II). Three patients recurred in the inguinal region, (4.6%) and 11 patients (16.9%) recurred on the vulva. Two of the 11 patients died of disease, six patients are alive without evidence of disease after additional therapy. Five-year disease-free survival and overall survival were 66% and 97%, respectively. Risk of recurrence was not associated with smoking status, stage, or margin status.


CONCLUSIONS
SupIL and vulvectomy for Stage I/II vulvar cancer have a low recurrence rate in the inguinal region when nodes are negative. The local recurrence rate (17%) is acceptable, and overall survival is good using this conservative approach.
Kirby
Tyler O
TO
Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, OHB 538, 619 19th Street South, Birmingham, AL 35249-7333, USA. tyler.kirby@obgyn.uab.edu
Rocconi
Rodney P
RP
Numnum
T Michael
TM
Kendrick
James E
JE
Wright
Jason
J
Fowler
Wiley
W
Mutch
David G
DG
Bhoola
Snehal M
SM
Huh
Warner K
WK
Straughn
J Michael
JM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000473:pathology; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014846:Vulvar Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*