Survival outcomes for patients with stage IVB vulvar cancer with grossly positive pelvic lymph nodes: time to reconsider the FIGO staging system?

Septin9 DNA methylation as a promising biomarker for cervical cancer

Aberrant Septin9 methylation in cervical cancer has been rarely studied. We aimed to identify its diagnostic value in cervical cancer using cervical scrapings, and its predictive potential in plasma for pelvic nodal metastasis of cervical cancer. The statuses of methylated Septin9 in fresh cervical lesions and cervical scrapings were first evaluated by using quantitative methylation-specific PCR. Subsequently, the relationship between Septin9 methylation in 113 plasma samples and pelvic nodal metastasis of cervical cancer was evaluated. Methylated Septin9 was detected in all cancerous tissues, but not in cervicitis. The degrees of Septin9 methylation increased with growing severity of cervical lesions in cervical scrapings. The sensitivity of methylated Septin9 was lower than that of cytology, while it yielded a high specificity and area under the curve in detecting high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion or cervical cancer; and when Septin9 methylation combined with HPV16/18 genotyping, the sensitivity would increase from 70.42% to 82.39%. Plasma-based Septin9 methylation had a high discriminatory power in predicting pelvic nodal metastasis of cervical cancer, with an optimal specificity of 81.48%. In conclusion, we demonstrated methylated Septin9 to be an innovative diagnostic biomarker for cervical cancer and its non-invasive predictive potential in plasma for pelvic nodal metastasis of cervical cancer.Impact statementWhat is already known on this subject? The occurrence of cervical cancer is related to Septin9 methylation. In fresh specimens and cervical scrapings, we found the degrees of methylated Septin9 increased with growing severity of cervical lesions. Compared with HPV16/18 genotyping and cytological detection, Septin9 methylation had a better specificity and AUC in detecting ≥ HSIL. Furthermore, plasma-based Septin9 methylation also had a high specificity for pelvic lymphatic metastasis prediction.What the results of this study add? Methylation analysis of Septin9 indicated a similar sensitivity, specificity and AUC in detecting ≥ HSIL, relative to HPV16/18 genotyping. Compared with cytological method, Septin9 methylation also yielded a higher specificity and AUC in detecting ≥ HSIL. And we also found plasma-based Septin9 methylation had a high discriminatory power in predicting pelvic nodal metastasis of cervical cancer, with an optimal specificity of 81.48%; additionally an increasing sensitivity from 50% to nearly 80% was found when combined with SCCAg.What the implications are of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between Septin9 methylation and cervical cancer, and to explore the value of methylated Septin9 in the detection of cervical (pre)cancerous lesions. Moreover, we would explore plasma-based ctDNA biomarkers for pelvic lymphatic metastasis prediction of cervical cancer, to improve non-invasive predictive accuracy of pelvic nodal metastasis and reduce the complications caused by pelvic lymphadenectomy.

Image-Guided Radiotherapy for Gynecologic Malignancies: What the Radiologist Needs to Know

Pelvic imaging is integral to contemporary radiotherapy (RT) management of gynecologic malignancies. For cervical, endometrial, vulvar, and vaginal cancers, three-dimensional imaging modalities aid in tumor staging and RT candidate selection and inform treatment strategy, including RT planning, execution, and posttherapy surveillance. State-of-the-art care routinely incorporates magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose-PET/computed tomography (CT), and CT to guide external beam RT and brachytherapy, allowing the customization of RT plans to maximize patient outcomes and reduce treatment-related toxicities. Follow-up imaging identifies radiation-resistant and recurrent disease as well as short-term and long-term toxicities from RT.

Trans-inguinal pelvic lymphadenectomy in vulvar cancer patients: TRIPLE pilot study

OBJECTIVE

The goal of this study was to assess the feasibility and safety of a retrograde extraperitoneal trans-inguinal novel approach to pelvic lymphadenectomy in vulvar cancer patients. The secondary objectives were to assess complications (early and late) and oncological outcomes.

METHODS

In this pilot study, all patients referred to our institution from November 2019 to May 2021 were evaluated. The inclusion criteria were patients diagnosed with primary/recurrent vulvar cancer and who were candidates for concomitant groin and pelvic lymph node dissection. A consecutive sampling was planned during the study period. After conventional inguino-femoral lymph nodal dissection, ipsilateral extraperitoneal trans-inguinal pelvic lymphadenectomy (TRIPLE) was performed through a groin incision. Clinical data, type of treatment, perioperative complications, and follow-up were evaluated.

RESULTS

13 patients (8 primary, 5 recurrent vulvar cancer) underwent 16 TRIPLE procedures (10 unilateral, 3 bilateral). The median age was 69 years (range 58-93 years); 8 patients had comorbidities (61.5%). Up front locoregional radiotherapy was previously performed in two cases (15.4%). The pathology report showed metastatic lymph nodes in 20 (87%) groins and 11 (68.8%) pelvic sites; the mean number of removed and metastatic pelvic lymph nodes was 12.1 (range 5-33) and 2.9 (range 0-18), respectively. No intra-operative site-specific complications occurred. One (5.9%) post-operative site-specific complication was reported (pelvic abscess, grade 2), which was treated with antibiotics. One patient died due to concomitant pneumonia. No unilateral pelvic lymph node recurrence occurred during follow-up (median 13 months, range 2-43 months); 3 patients (23.1%) had distant site recurrence (median disease-free survival 9 months).

CONCLUSIONS

TRIPLE seems to be a feasible and safe technique, providing adequate lymph node dissection. Despite being a high-risk and fragile population, morbidity was similar to previously reported data for conventional mini-invasive approaches. Prospective larger comparative series are necessary.

Definitive chemoradiation or radiation therapy alone for the management of vulvar cancer

Vulvar cancer is rare, and unresectable disease provides a therapeutic conundrum. Although definitive surgery remains the mainstay for curative treatment of vulvar cancer, a minority of patients present with advanced disease for which surgical resection would be extraordinarily morbid. Pre-operative and definitive radiation with radiosensitizing systemic therapy allows such patients an opportunity for cure. In this review, we explore the origins of pre-operative radiation, current treatment standards for pre-operative and definitive chemoradiation, and future directions.

Dose escalated simultaneous integrated boost of gross nodal disease in gynecologic cancers: a multi-institutional retrospective analysis and review of the literature

PURPOSE

Typical doses of 45-50.4 Gy used to treat regional nodes have demonstrated inadequate control of gross nodal disease (GND) in gynecologic cancer, and accelerated repopulation may limit the efficacy of a sequential boost. We reviewed outcomes of patients treated with a simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) at 2.25 Gy per fraction to positron emission tomography (PET) avid GND to evaluate toxicity and tumor control using this dose-escalated regimen.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 83 patients with gynecologic cancer and PET avid inguinal, pelvic, or para-aortic lymphadenopathy were treated using intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) with SIB. Primary cancers were mostly cervical (51%) and endometrial (34%), and included patients who received concurrent chemotherapy (59%) and/or brachytherapy boost (78%).

RESULTS

Median follow-up from radiation completion was 12.6 months (range, 2.7 to 92.9 months). Median dose to elective lymphatics was 50.4 Gy (range, 45 to 50.4 Gy) at 1.8 Gy/fraction. Median SIB dose and volume were 63 Gy (range, 56.3 to 63 Gy) and 72.8 mL (range, 6.8 to 1,134 mL) at 2-2.25 Gy/fraction. Nodal control was 97.6% in the SIB area while 90.4% in the low dose area (p = 0.013). SIB radiotherapy (RT) field failure-free, non-SIB RT field failure-free, and out of RT field failure-free survival at 4 years were 98%, 86%, and 51%, respectively. Acute and late grade ≥3 genitourinary toxicity rates were 0%. Acute and late grade ≥3 gastrointestinal toxicity rates were 7.2% and 12.0%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Dose escalated SIB to PET avid adenopathy results in excellent local control with acceptable toxicity.

Safety and Benefit Of Sentinel Lymph Nodes Biopsy Compared to Regional Lymph Node Dissection in Primary Vulvar Cancer Patients Without Distant Metastasis and Adjacent Organ Invasion: A Retrospective Population Study

Background

The safety and benefit of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) compared with regional lymph node dissection (RLND) and no lymph nodes removed (NA) in patients with vulvar squamous cell cancer (VSCC) was not well studied.

Methods

A retrospective analysis on VSCC patients without distant metastasis and adjacent organ invasion from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program database between 2004 and 2016 was carried out. Within subgroups stratified by negative (LN−) or positive (LN+) regional lymph node findings, inverse probability weighting (IPW) adjusted multivariate Fine-Gray compete risk (CR) model and accelerated failure time (AFT) model was used to investigate the factors associated with and cancer-specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS).

Results

Of the 3,161 VSCC patients treated with surgery, 287 (9.1%) underwent SLNB, 1,716 (54.3%) underwent RLND, and 1,158 (36.6%) had no regional lymph nodes removed. As illustrated by IPW adjusted multivariate regressions, SLNB was significantly associated with prolonged CSS (LN−, adjusted sub-proportional hazard ratio [sHR] = 0.42; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.19–0.93; P=0.032; LN+, adjusted sHR = 0.29; 95% CI, 0.16–0.54, P<0.001) and OS (LN−, adjusted time ratio [TR] = 1.38; 95% CI, 0.82–2.32; P=0.226; LN+, adjusted TR = 2.68; 95% CI, 1.73–4.14; P<0.001), although the effect of SLNB on OS was not significant within the LN− cohort. Moreover, SLNB led to improved CSS (adjusted sHR = 0.40; 95% CI, 0.23–0.70; P = 0.001) and OS (adjusted TR=1.15, 95% CI 0.76-1.73, P=0.279) compared with NA. Age was a significant prognostic factor of CSS and OS, whereas tumor size, surgery type, and invasion depth were not.

Conclusions

SLNB leads to significantly prolonged CSS and OS in VSCC surgery patients without distant metastasis and adjacent organ invasion than RLND, except for the similar OS in the LN− cohort. SLNB could be carried out preferentially for VSCC surgery patients without distant metastasis and adjacent organ invasion, irrespective of tumor size, surgery type, invasion depth, and regional lymph nodes metastasis. Further prospective clinical trials are warranted to confirm the findings of this study.

Role of Locoregional Treatment in Vulvar Cancer With Pelvic Lymph Node Metastases: Time to Reconsider FIGO Staging?

BACKGROUND

Vulvar cancer with pelvic nodal involvement is considered metastatic (M1) disease per AJCC staging. The role of definitive therapy and its resulting impact on survival have not been defined.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with pelvic lymph node-positive vulvar cancer diagnosed in 2009 through 2015 were evaluated from the National Cancer Database. Patients with known distant metastatic disease were excluded. Logistic regression was used to evaluate use of surgery and radiation therapy (RT). Overall survival (OS) was evaluated with log-rank test and Cox proportional hazards modeling (multivariate analysis [MVA]). A 2-month conditional landmark analysis was performed.

RESULTS

A total of 1,304 women met the inclusion criteria. Median follow-up was 38 months for survivors. Chemotherapy, RT, and surgery were used in 54%, 74%, and 62% of patients, respectively. Surgery was associated with prolonged OS (hazard ratio [HR], 0.58; P<.001) but had multiple significant differences in baseline characteristics compared with nonsurgical patients. In patients managed nonsurgically, RT was associated with prolonged OS (HR, 0.66; P=.019) in MVA. In patients undergoing surgery, RT was associated with better OS (3-year OS, 55% vs 48%; P=.033). Factors predicting use of RT were identified. MVA revealed that RT was associated with prolonged OS (HR, 0.75; P=.004).

CONCLUSIONS

In this cohort of women with vulvar cancer and positive pelvic lymph nodes, use of RT was associated with prolonged survival in those who did not undergo surgery. Surgery followed by adjuvant RT was associated with prolonged survival compared with surgery alone.

Survival disparities in vulvar cancer patients in Commission on Cancer®-accredited facilities

OBJECTIVES

To investigate survival disparities and prognostic factors in vulvar cancer by age at diagnosis.

METHODS

Women who underwent surgery and were diagnosed with stage I-IV vulvar cancer from 2004 to 2014 in the National Cancer Database were eligible. Proportions were compared using Chi-Square test. Survival was evaluated using Cox analysis.

RESULTS

There were 18,207 eligible women. Median age at diagnosis was 64 years, and 31% diagnosed ≥75 years old were categorized as elderly. Most vulvar cancers were diagnosed at stage I and with squamous histology. Diagnosis with higher stage or non-squamous histology was more common in elderly vs. non-elderly patients (P < 0.001). Survival was 3.5 times worse in the elderly than the non-elderly (P < 0.0001). Risk of death for each 5-year increment in age increased by 22% for non-elderly and 43% for elderly patients (P < 0.0001). The prognostic value of comorbidity score, stage, regional node assessment and histology was smaller in elderly vs. non-elderly women (each P < 0.05). Adjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CTRT) use in the elderly vs. non-elderly was rare for stage I-II disease (3% vs. 2%) and more common for stage III-IV disease (6% vs. 43%), respectively (P < 0.0001). The survival disadvantage for elderly patients persisted following no adjuvant therapy, radiotherapy or chemotherapy alone, or CTRT (P < 0.0001). In stage III-IV disease, survival was superior following CTRT vs. radiotherapy when diagnosed <75 years (HR = 0.80, 95% CI = 0.69-0.93) but not in the elderly (HR = 0.99, P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Age-associated risk of death increased at different rates in vulvar cancer and was larger in elderly vs. non-elderly patients. The impact of other prognostic factors was smaller in elderly vs. non-elderly women. The survival benefit of CTRT over radiotherapy in stage III-IV did not extend to the elderly.

Outcome of Radiation Therapy for Locally Advanced Vulvar Carcinoma: Analysis of Inguinal Lymph Node

BACKGROUND/AIM

The aim of this study was to define the outcome of radiation therapy for vulvar carcinoma, and to investigate the effectiveness of therapeutic and prophylactic inguinal lymph node (ILN) irradiation. Because reports about the treatment of ILN were limited.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Thirty consecutive vulvar carcinoma patients were treated using external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) for definitive disease (n=25) or postoperatively (n=5). Twenty-four (80%) had squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Tumor stages (2002 UICC) ranged from 0 to IVB, with no distant metastases.

RESULTS

The median total prescribed dose for primary tumor was 64.8 Gy. The 2-year overall survival rate was 25.3%. The outcome was significantly better in patients with ILNs<30 mm (p=0.005) and patients receiving prescribed doses >60 Gy (p=0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

ILN diameters ≤30 mm and prescribed doses over 60 Gy were associated with ILN control in patients with vulvar carcinoma.

An Overview of Vulvar Cancer: A Single-Center Study from Northeast India

Study

Carcinoma vulva is a rare cancer of the female genital tract. It mostly presents in postmenopausal women. The treatment of vulvar cancer is surgery, chemoradiation, radiotherapy or a combination of all modalities. Here, we present a study of 33 cases of carcinoma vulva over a period of 2 years at a Northeast India regional cancer institute describing its demographic features and treatment outcomes.

Methodology

A retrospective cohort study of vulvar cancer diagnosed at Northeast India regional cancer institute from January 2017 to December 2018.

Results

A total of 33 cases of biopsy proven carcinoma (Ca) vulva were studied. Maximum number of cases belonged to the age group: 60-69 years (39.4%). 66.67% cases had palpable inguinal lymph nodes at presentation, and 100% had squamous cell carcinoma on histopathology. Maximum number of cases belonged to stage III (44.8%), and least number of cases belonged to stage IV (10.3%) of FIGO 2009 staging of Ca vulva. 87.9% cases underwent treatment, and 12.1% were lost to follow-up. Out of the cases who underwent treatment, 55.2% cases were taken up for primary surgery and 44.8% cases for primary radiotherapy. 75% cases who underwent surgery received adjuvant radiotherapy. No complication was seen in patients post-radiation. But, 6.25% patients post-surgery developed lymphocyst and 18.75% patients developed wound necrosis (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

Vulvar cancer is not a common malignancy of the female genital tract that presents in sixth and seventh decades of life and often with palpable inguinal lymph nodes. Though early stages of Ca vulva are treated by surgery, the incidence of immediate postoperative complications in our study was more as compared to post-radiotherapy. Also, maximum patients in the present study post-surgery received adjuvant radiotherapy. Thus, radiotherapy can be considered as the primary treatment modality for patients with early as well as advanced vulvar carcinoma.

[Management of the nodal disease in vulvar cancers. The ESGO guidelines]

The European Society of Gynaecologic Oncology (ESGO) guidelines cover the whole field of common clinical situations in gynecologic oncology. Their elaboration follows a strict process including a systematic review of the literature, the setting up of a group of expert on the basis of scientific production, geographical balance, and multidisciplinarity, and an external review by users and patients. The recommendations for the management of vulvar cancer were elaborated in 2015 and published in 2017. They are available in open access on the ESGO website, and can be incorporated in clinical practice using the free ESGO guidelines smartphone application. This review is a selection of the sections addressing the diagnostic and strategical aspects of the management of lymph nodal disease in vulvar cancer. An additional review of the recent literature published since 2015 has been carried out. The management of nodal disease in vulvar cancer encompasses a diagnostic and a therapeutic component. Clinical and imaging assessment still play a major role, whilst the identification of the sentinel node is currently a mainstay of assessment of the nodal status in early vulvar cancer. The therapeutic component is based on the rational use of full lymph node dissection and (chemo)radiation.

Vulvar Cancer

This article reviews the epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of vulvar preinvasive lesions, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. There is an emphasis on sentinel lymph node dissection for early stage disease and advances in chemoradiation for late-stage disease. A brief review of vulvar Paget disease is also included.

Effectiveness of definitive radiotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva with gross inguinal lymphadenopathy

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effectiveness and long-term side effects of definitive groin radiotherapy for vulvar cancer with grossly involved inguinal lymph nodes.

METHODS

The records of 407 women with vulvar squamous cell carcinoma treated with radiotherapy at one institution during 1992-2014 were reviewed to identify patients who had radiographic or histologic evidence of grossly involved inguinal lymph nodes. Patients with lymphadenectomy before radiotherapy and patients treated for recurrent disease were excluded. Actuarial incidences of vulvar, inguinal, and distant recurrences, the relationship between vulvar recurrence and inguinal recurrence, and overall survival were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTS

Thirty-three patients were identified. The median age at diagnosis was 64 years. The median long-axis radiographic diameter of the largest inguinal lymph node or lymph node mass was 2.5 cm (range, 1.4-8.7). Sixteen patients (48%) also had evidence of pelvic lymph node metastasis. The median radiation dose delivered to grossly involved nodes was 66.0 Gy (range, 60.0-70.0). The 3-year actuarial incidences of vulvar, groin, and distant recurrences were 24.2%, 17.7%, and 30.3%, respectively. With a median follow-up time of 28 months (range, 2-196), four patients (12%) had groin recurrence, of whom three also had vulvar recurrence. There were few major late adverse effects of regional radiotherapy. The 3-year overall survival rate was 51%.

CONCLUSIONS

High-dose volume-directed radiotherapy achieves a high rate of local control with low risk of serious long-term toxic effects in patients with vulvar squamous cell carcinoma and grossly involved inguinal lymph nodes.

Definitive Chemoradiotherapy for Vulvar Cancer

Objectives

This study aimed to evaluate clinical outcomes after chemoradiation (CRT) for the definitive (nonsurgical) treatment of vulvar cancer.

Materials and Methods

Women with vulvar cancer treated with definitive CRT at a single academic institution between 1994 and 2015 were retrospectively identified. Overall survival (OS), freedom from local recurrence, freedom from distant recurrence, and late toxicities were estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method at 3 years after radiotherapy completion. Univariate Cox regression models were used to estimate the effects of risk factors on these clinical end points. Acute and late toxicities were assessed according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events v. 4.0.

Results

Twenty-five women met criteria for inclusion. At 3 years, OS was 71% (95% confidence interval [CI], 49%–93%), freedom from local recurrence was 65% (95% CI, 43%–87%), and freedom from distant recurrence was 78% (95% CI, 59%–97%). Older age was significantly associated with decreased OS (hazard rate, 1.069/y; 95% CI, 1.005–1.124; P = 0.035) and local recurrence (hazard rate, 1.077/y; 95% CI, 1.009–1.150; P = 0.026). Larger size of the primary was borderline associated with distant recurrence (P = 0.057). Skin changes were the most common late toxicity, with a 3-year rate of late G3 skin toxicity of 45% (95% CI, 20%–69%). The rate of lymphedema at 3 years was 25% (95% CI, 5%–44%).

Conclusions

Definitive CRT for advanced vulvar cancer was an effective and well-tolerated approach for women with unresectable disease. Further work is needed to more appropriately select women who will benefit most from a nonsurgical approach.

Consensus Recommendations for Radiation Therapy Contouring and Treatment of Vulvar Carcinoma

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to develop a radiation therapy (RT) contouring atlas and recommendations for women with postoperative and locally advanced vulvar carcinoma.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

An international committee of 35 expert gynecologic radiation oncologists completed a survey of the treatment of vulvar carcinoma. An initial set of recommendations for contouring was discussed and generated by consensus. Two cases, 1 locally advanced and 1 postoperative, were contoured by 14 physicians. Contours were compared and analyzed using an expectation-maximization algorithm for simultaneous truth and performance level estimation (STAPLE), and a 95% confidence interval contour was developed. The level of agreement among contours was assessed using a kappa statistic. STAPLE contours underwent full committee editing to generate the final atlas consensus contours.

RESULTS

Analysis of the 14 contours showed substantial agreement, with kappa statistics of 0.69 and 0.64 for cases 1 and 2, respectively. There was high specificity for both cases (≥99%) and only moderate sensitivity of 71.3% and 64.9% for cases 1 and 2, respectively. Expert review and discussion generated consensus recommendations for contouring target volumes and treatment for postoperative and locally advanced vulvar cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

These consensus recommendations for contouring and treatment of vulvar cancer identified areas of complexity and controversy. Given the lack of clinical research evidence in vulvar cancer radiation therapy, the committee advocates a conservative and consistent approach using standardized recommendations.