Vulvar cancer in human immunodeficiency virus-seropositive premenopausal women: a case series and review of the literature

[Vulvar squamous cell carcinoma in a HIV-1 infected patient with first-line antiretroviral therapy failure]

Le cancer de la vulve est une affection rarement rapportée dans la littérature. Chez la femme jeune, il est le plus souvent lié à l´infection par le papillomavirus humain (HPV) alors que chez les femmes ménopausées, chez qui ce cancer est plus fréquent, il serait lié à la carence œstrogénique. En outre, l´infection à VIH augmente le risque de survenue chez les femmes séropositives de néoplasies vulvaires du fait de la prévalence élevée de l´infection à HPV chez elles. Ainsi devant toute lésion suspecte de la vulve, une biopsie suivie d´un examen anatomo-pathologique devra être réalisée afin de poser le diagnostic. Nous rapportons le cas d´un carcinome épidermoïde de la vulve chez une patiente séropositive au VIH-1 en échec de traitement antirétroviral (ARV) de première ligne.

Gynecologic cancer in HIV-positive women: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

While there is a significant body of literature on cervical cancer in HIV-positive women, little is known about other gynecologic cancers in this population.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to describe the incidence, presentation, treatment, and outcomes for HIV-positive women with non-acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-defining gynecologic cancers.

STUDY DESIGN

We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, ClinicalTrials.gov, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials for English-language studies published from 2000 to May 1, 2017. Studies containing 1 or more HIV-positive women with endometrial, ovarian, or vulvovaginal cancer and reporting incidence, treatment regimen, or survival were included. Two authors independently reviewed abstracts and full-text articles for inclusion and assessed study quality (details of the review protocol were registered as PROSPERO-CRD42017064525). Pooled estimates of incidence were calculated using random-effects models. Pooled estimates of cancer presentation and outcomes were averaged from case studies.

RESULTS

Of 5744 abstracts screened, we identified 70 articles on 58 studies on 292,202 women with HIV and 528 women with HIV and gynecologic cancer for inclusion. Most articles (53%) focused on incidence, and only 3, 4, and 20 articles focused on treatment and outcomes of endometrial, ovarian, and vulvovaginal cancers, respectively. The standardized incidence ratios for endometrial, ovarian, and vulvovaginal cancers were 4.38 (95% confidence interval 0.26-8.49) for endometrial cancer, 3.21 (95% confidence interval 2.29-4.13) for ovarian cancer, and 21.93 (95% confidence interval 13.50-30.35) for vulvovaginal cancer. Fifty-seven percent of women were diagnosed at an early stage, and all received cancer treatment.

CONCLUSION

In women with HIV, the incidence of ovarian and vulvovaginal cancer were higher than the general population, while incidence of endometrial cancer was similar. However, there was a paucity of data on treatment and outcomes for non-acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-defining gynecologic cancers. Given the increased incidence of gynecologic cancer, specific research on this population is essential to improve treatment and outcomes for HIV-positive women.

Gynecologic cancer in HIV-infected women: treatment and outcomes in a multi-institutional cohort

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate gynecologic cancer treatments in HIV-infected women for adherence to National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines and to describe survival by adherence to guidelines.

DESIGN

Beyond cervical cancer, there are little data on treatment and outcomes for these women. This is a retrospective cohort study of HIV-infected women with gynecologic cancers.

METHODS

HIV-infected women with gynecologic cancers from 2000 to 2015 were identified at two urban, comprehensive cancer centers. Chart reviews extracted demographic, HIV, and cancer-related variables. Cancer treatment was evaluated for adherence to NCCN guidelines. Overall survival was compared between those who received NCCN adherent and nonadherent cancer care.

RESULTS

Fifty-seven women were identified; 15 vulvar (26%), 26 cervical (46%), nine ovarian (16%), and seven endometrial (12%) cancers. Median time from HIV to cancer diagnosis was 8.5 years, and 88% of women were black. Thirty patients (53%) had stage I, and 27 (47%) had stage II-IV disease. Overall, 28 women (49%) received NCCN-adherent care; 22 of 30 stage I (73%) and six of 27 stage II-IV patients (22%). Among 29 women not receiving NCCN-adherent care, 69% were due to patient-related factors or toxicity. Among women with II-IV cancers, 48-month survival was higher in women who received NCCN-adherent care than those who did not (60 versus 28%).

CONCLUSION

Most HIV-infected women with advanced gynecologic cancers did not receive NCCN-adherent care and had worse survival compared to those who did. Focus on treatment-related toxicities and patient-related barriers to cancer care are necessary in this population.

Oncogenic viral prevalence in invasive vulvar cancer specimens from human immunodeficiency virus-positive and -negative women in Botswana

OBJECTIVE

The primary aim of this study was to describe the prevalence of select oncogenic viruses within vulvar squamous cell carcinoma (VSCC) and their association with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) status in women in Botswana, where the national HIV prevalence is the third highest in the world.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study of biopsy-confirmed VSCC specimens and corresponding clinical data was conducted in Gaborone, Botswana. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) viral testing were done for Epstein-Barr virus, human papillomavirus (HPV) strains, and Kaposi sarcoma herpesvirus, and PCR viral testing alone was done for John Cunningham virus.

RESULTS

Human papillomavirus prevalence by PCR was 100% (35/35) among tested samples. Human papillomavirus type 16 was the most prevalent HPV strain (82.9% by PCR, 94.7% by either PCR or IHC). Kaposi sarcoma herpesvirus prevalence by PCR had a significant association with HIV status (P = 0.013), but not by IHC (P = 0.650).

CONCLUSIONS

The high burden of HPV, specifically HPV16, in vulvar squamous cell cancer in Botswana suggests a distinct HPV profile that differs from other studied populations, which provides increased motivation for HPV vaccination efforts. Oncogenic viruses Kaposi sarcoma herpesvirus and Epstein-Barr virus were also more prevalent in our study population, although their potential role in vulvar squamous cell cancer pathology is unclear.

Human papillomavirus vaccines: where do they fit in HIV-infected individuals?

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the etiological agent for cervical cancer and a large majority of anal cancers worldwide. In 2006 two preventive vaccines against the HPV were approved by the US Food and Drug Administration and have since been approved in over 100 countries. HIV-infected populations are at an increased risk for HPV-related cancers. None of the efficacy trials for these vaccines included HIV-infected populations. However, studies in HIV-infected children and adult men show that the vaccine is safe and highly immunogenic. Studies evaluating the vaccine in HIV-infected women are in progress. Based on these studies, the American Council on Immunization Practices recommends HPV vaccination for all HIV-infected children and young adults up to age 26 years. HPV vaccine policies in resource-limited countries, many of which have a high prevalence of HIV infection, are still being developed. Future studies should examine the role of HPV vaccination for older HIV-infected adults who likely have ongoing HPV infection.

Vulvo-vaginal cancers: risks, evaluation, prevention and early detection

Vulvar and vaginal cancers are rare and account for approximately 7% of cancers of the female reproductive tract. Vulvar and vaginal neoplasia share similar risk factors: human papillomavirus infection, previous cervical intraepithelial neoplasia or cervical cancer, current smoking, sexual factors, and immunosuppression. Several treatment options are available for patients with documented histologic high-grade intraepithelial vulvar or vaginal neoplasia, including excision, laser vaporization, and 5-fluorouracil. After treatment, lifetime follow-up with cytology and colposcopy is recommended. With the widespread use of the human papillomavirus vaccine, one half to two thirds of vulvar and vaginal cancers may be prevented. Patient education regarding reduction of risk factors for progression and close surveillance of at-risk individuals may prevent the progression to invasive disease.

Vulval cancer: prevention and screening

The incidence of vulval cancer is rising, both in older women and those under 50 years of age. Vulval cancer has at least two types, one arising in association with lichen sclerosus (LS) and the other with vulval intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN). Recent pathological and aetiological descriptions are included, along with the latest description of VIN terminology. Prevention of and screening for vulval cancer will require greater understanding of why some women with LS and VIN are at greater risk: recent studies of molecular change might contribute to this. The use of vulval cytology and toluidine blue staining is described. Patient or vulval awareness may help but clinical features are non-specific. Prophylactic vaccination against HPV and campaigns against smoking may contribute in the future.