Reducing the radicality of surgery for vulvar cancer: are smaller margins safer?

Role of V-Y flap reconstruction in vulvar cancer patients: multicenter retrospective study

OBJECTIVE

To assess if the use of a V-Y reconstructive flap after excisional radical surgery positively influences the surgical outcomes in patients with vulvar cancer.

METHODS

This was a multicenter, retrospective, controlled study. Surgical outcomes and complication rates of women with invasive vulvar cancer who underwent radical surgery and vulvar reconstruction and those who underwent radical surgery without the reconstruction step were compared. Only patients who underwent bilateral or unilateral V-Y advancement fascio-cutaneous flaps were included in the reconstruction group. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to analyze predicting variables for their association with complication rates.

RESULTS

Overall, 361 patients were included: 190 (52%) underwent the reconstructive step after the excisional radical procedure and were compared with 171 (47.4%) who did not undergo the reconstructive step. At multivariate analysis, body mass index >30 kg/m2 (odds ratio (OR) 3.36, p=0.007) and diabetes (OR 2.62, p<0.022) were independently correlated with wound infection. Moreover, increasing age (OR 1.52, p=0.009), body mass index >30 kg/m2 (OR 3.21, p=0.002,) and International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stages III-IV (OR 2.25, p=0.017) were independent predictors of wound dehiscence. A significant reduction in the incidence of postoperative wound complications among patients who underwent V-Y reconstructive flaps was demonstrated. This was correlated more significantly in women with lesions >4 cm.

CONCLUSIONS

The adoption of V-Y flaps in vulvar surgery was correlated with reduced surgical related complications, particularly in vulnerable patients involving large surgical defects following excisional radical procedures.

Overall survival associated with surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy in metastatic vulvar cancer: A retrospective cohort study based on the SEER database

Background

Large cancer registries help analyze the prognosis of rare malignancies, such as advanced vulvar cancer. This study aimed to compare the overall survival (OS) rates of patients with metastatic vulvar cancer who had undergone chemoradiotherapy and radiotherapy alone and identify prognostic factors using data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) registry.

Methods

In this retrospective cohort study, we used the SEER database to identify patients with metastatic vulvar cancer diagnosed between 2000 and 2019. Propensity score matching was performed to balance the covariates. Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox models were used to analyze OS.

Results

A total of 685 patients were included and divided into chemoradiotherapy and radiotherapy groups, and 400 patients were included after propensity score matching. The chemoradiotherapy group had higher OS in the matched cohort (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.7367; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.5906-0.9190; P = 0.0049) than the radiotherapy group, which was similar to that in the pre-matched cohort (P < 0.0001). Patients who had undergone surgery + radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy showed higher OS rates than those who had received radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy for patients aged <75 years and local tumor excision/destruction or surgical removal of the primary site was the recommended surgical choice (P < 0.05). Chemoradiotherapy is sufficient for patients ≥75 years of age.

Conclusions

Patients with metastatic vulvar cancer should undergo surgery if they can tolerate it. Adjuvant chemoradiotherapy should be encouraged because this treatment modality was associated with higher OS than radiotherapy alone.

Vulvar Hidradenoma Papilliferum

Aim

This study examines the clinical and pathological characteristics, immune profile, histological occurrence, diagnosis, and differential diagnosis of vulvar hidradenoma papilliferum.

Methods

An analysis was conducted on clinical data, histological patterns, and immunohistochemical findings from 45 cases of vulvar hidradenoma papilliferum, and relevant published articles were reviewed. Simultaneously, high-risk HPV typing was performed on these 45 cases.

Results

The 45 cases of vulvar hidradenoma papilliferum displayed tumor sizes ranging from 0.3 to 2.0 cm and were observed to be pink or red in appearance. Vacuolated cytoplasm, large abnormal nuclei, distinct nucleoli, and scattered eosinophilic luminal secretions were observed in the glands. Positive staining for CK7 and progesterone receptor (PR) with focal mammaglobin and GCDFP-15 expression was found through immunohistochemistry. CK20 staining was noted as negative.

Conclusion

Hidradenoma papilliferum is a rare benign tumor that originates in secretory glands. The diagnosis of this condition is aided by gross and immunohistochemical results, and differentiation from other conditions is necessary.

The Importance of p16 and p53 Immunohistochemical Staining in Diagnosing Vulvar Lichen Simplex Chronicus Mimicking Vulvar Intraepithelial Neoplasia with False-Positive Human Papillomavirus Type 66

Vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN), the precursor lesion of vulvar squamous cell carcinoma (VSCC), may present as pruritic or asymptomatic lichenified plaques surrounded by single or multiple discrete or confluent macules or papules. VIN is divided into high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL), which is human papillomavirus (HPV)-driven, and differentiated VIN (DVIN), which develops independently of HPV. Histopathological examination and HPV genotyping polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests should be performed to distinguish between HSIL and DVIN. Lichenified plaques surrounded by multiple papules are found not only in VIN but also in vulvar lichen simplex chronicus (LSC). This chronic inflammatory skin disease mostly appears in labia majora and is triggered by sweating, rubbing, and mental stress. IHC staining of p16 and p53 are recommended as the most commonly used biomarkers for VIN in diagnostically challenging cases. IHC staining is also beneficial to confirm the accuracy of the HPV detection technique, as p16-negative staining may also represent a false-positive result. We report a case of the importance of p16 and p53 IHC staining in diagnosing vulvar LSC mimicking VIN with false-positive HPV-66. The patient was previously diagnosed with VIN based on clinical examination. HPV-66 was detected by PCR from a vulvar biopsy sample. Histopathological examination revealed stromal lymphocytic infiltration with non-specific chronic dermatitis; neither atypia nor koilocyte was observed. Both p16 and p53 IHC staining were negative. The patient was diagnosed and treated as vulvar LSC with 10 mg cetirizine tablet, emollient, and 0.1% mometasone furoate cream. Clinical improvement was observed as the lesions became asymptomatic hyperpigmented macules in the 4 weeks of follow-up, without recurrence after 3 years of follow-up. Both p16 and p53 IHC staining might help distinguish HSIL and DVIN mutually and from other vulvar mimics in diagnostically challenging cases.

Tumor-Free Resection Margin Distance in the Surgical Treatment of Node-Negative Squamous Cell Cancer of the Vulva Has No Impact on Survival: Analysis of a Large Patient Cohort in a Tertiary Care Center

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of pathological tumor-free margin distance on survival in SCC patients treated with surgery alone.

METHODS

This retrospective study included 128 patients with node-negative disease that received no adjuvant treatment. Disease-free and overall survival were analyzed according to pathological tumor-free margin distance.

RESULTS

The patients were subclassified into three resection margin category groups: "1 to 3 mm" (n = 42), ">3 to 8 mm" (n = 47) or ">8 mm" (n = 39). Thirty-nine of the 128 patients (30.5%) developed recurrent disease. Median follow-up for disease-free survival (DFS) was 6.49 years (95% CI 5.16 years; 7.62 years), and median follow-up for overall survival (OS) was 6.29 years (95% CI 5.45 years; 7.33 years). The 5-year DFS rate was 0.70 (95% CI: 0.62-0.79), and the 5-year OS rate was 0.79 (95% CI: 0.71-0.87). Regarding the survival outcome, there were no independent significant differences in either disease-free survival (DFS) (p = 0.300) or overall survival (p = 1.000) among patients within the three tumor-free resection margin categories. Multivariate analyses did not show any statistically significant association between tumor-free resection margin distance and recurrent disease or death, either when analyzed as a categorical variable or when analyzed as a continuous variable.

CONCLUSION

The present study did not show a significant impact of pathological tumor-free resection margin distance following surgery in patients with node-negative SCC of the vulva (that did not receive adjuvant treatment) on disease-free and overall survival.

Prognostic value of postoperative radiotherapy in patients with vulvar squamous carcinoma: findings based on the SEER database

INTRODUCTION

The role of postoperative radiotherapy in treating squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva remains controversial. This study evaluated the effect of radiotherapy on the survival of patients with postoperative squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva.

METHODS

Clinical and prognostic information on patients diagnosed with vulvar squamous cell carcinoma from 2010 to 2015 was collected from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Prognosis (SEER) database. A propensity score matching (PSM) approach was used to balance the differences in clinicopathological characteristics between groups. The impact of postoperative radiotherapy on overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) was assessed.

RESULTS

The study included 3571 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva, of whom 732 (21.1%) received postoperative radiotherapy. After propensity score matching, multivariate analysis showed that age, race, N stage, and tumor size were independent influences on overall survival and disease-specific survival of patients. Postoperative radiotherapy did not improve patients' overall survival or disease-specific survival. Further subgroup survival analysis showed that in patients with AJCC stage III, N1 stage, lymph node metastasis, and large tumor diameter (> 3.5 cm), postoperative radiotherapy resulted in a significant improvement in overall patient survival.

CONCLUSION

Postoperative radiotherapy is not indicated for all patients with postoperative vulvar cancer and has improved survival outcomes only for patients with AJCC stage III, N1, lymph node metastases and large tumor diameter (> 3.5 cm).

European Society of Gynaecological Oncology Guidelines for the Management of Patients with Vulvar Cancer - Update 2023

BACKGROUND

As part of its mission to improve the quality of care for women with gynecological cancers across Europe, the European Society of Gynaecological Oncology (ESGO) first published in 2017 evidence-based guidelines for the management of patients with vulvar cancer.

OBJECTIVE

To update the ESGO guidelines based on the new evidence addressing the management of vulvar cancer and to cover new topics in order to provide comprehensive guidelines on all relevant issues of diagnosis and treatment of vulvar cancer.

METHODS

The ESGO Council nominated an international development group comprised of practicing clinicians who provide care to vulvar cancer patients and have demonstrated leadership through their expertize in clinical care and research, national and international engagement and profile as well as dedication to the topics addressed to serve on the expert panel (18 experts across Europe). To ensure that the statements were evidence-based, new data identified from a systematic search were reviewed and critically appraised. In the absence of any clear scientific evidence, judgment was based on the professional experience and consensus of the international development group. Prior to publication, the guidelines were reviewed by 206 international practitioners in cancer care delivery and patient representatives.

RESULTS

The updated guidelines cover comprehensively diagnosis and referral, staging, pathology, pre-operative investigations, surgical management (local treatment, groin treatment, sentinel lymph node procedure, reconstructive surgery), (chemo)radiotherapy, systemic treatment, treatment of recurrent disease (vulvar, inguinal, pelvic, and distant recurrences), and follow-up. Management algorithms are also defined.

Complete Remission of Vulvar Squamous Cell Carcinoma After Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy in Copper Smelting and Purification Workers: A Case Report

Vulvar squamous cell carcinoma (VSCC) is the most frequent vulvar neoplasia, with invasiveness and metastasis. Typically, surgery is the preferred treatment. Radiotherapy is commonly used for unresectable locally advanced tumors and for early-stage patients who are at risk of serious complications from surgery or have a severe concomitant disease that prevents them from undergoing surgery. Compared to external irradiation, three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT), and intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), various studies using volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) alone in early-stage VSCC have been reported rarely. In this case, the patient had a large skin lesion and no lymph node metastasis. Surgical excision would seriously affect the urinary function and vulvar shape, so radical radiotherapy was given. To ensure the radiation dose for the radical treatment effect and to avoid high-dose radiation to normal organs, the volumetric intensity-modulated radiotherapy technique was chosen. After treatment, the patient's vulvar appearance returned to normal, and the tumor achieved complete remission without further surgery or chemotherapy, with no local recurrence or associated toxic side effects. This suggests that the efficacy of VMAT alone in early-stage VSCC is accurate and worthy of clinical promotion. The patient had been engaged in copper smelting and purification for many years, and it is unusual for her to have skin lesions with such a large surface area. In conjunction with her previous history of nasal basal cell carcinoma, the mechanism of oxidative stress during metal exposure should be further clinically examined, as it may be crucial in the formation and progression of malignancies.

Cannabidiol and Its Combinations with Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs Induce Apoptosis and Inhibit Activation of NF-κB Signaling in Vulvar Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Vulvar squamous cell carcinoma (VSCC) is a rare malignancy with a relatively good prognosis. However, the prognosis remains poor for elderly patients and those with a significant depth of tumor invasion; thus, novel treatment modalities are needed. The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of cannabidiol (CBD) and its combination with NSAIDs, diclofenac (DIC) and ibuprofen (IBU) on VSCC cells. In this regard, the MTT test was applied for cytotoxicity analysis. Moreover, the influence of CBD, DIC and IBU, as well as their combinations, on apoptosis and cell cycle distribution were analyzed by flow cytometry. The mechanisms of action of the analyzed compounds, including their impact on NF-κB signaling, p53 and COX-2 expression were evaluated using Western blot. This study shows that CBD and its combinations with NSAIDs are cytotoxic to A431 cells, but they also reduce, in a dose-dependent manner, the viability of immortalized keratinocyte HaCaT cells, and human umbilical vein cell line, EA.hy926. Moreover, the compounds and their combinations induced apoptosis, diminished the NF-κB signaling activation and reduced COX-2 expression. We conclude that CBD and its combination with DIC or IBU are promising candidates for the adjuvant treatment of high-risk VSCC patients. However, their impact on non-cancerous cells requires careful evaluation.

Performance of Indocyanine Green Compared to 99mTc-Nanocolloids for Sentinel Lymph Node Detection in Early Vulvar Cancer

STUDY OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of indocyanine green (ICG) compared to that of the gold standard 99mtechnetium (99mTc-nanocolloids) in detecting sentinel lymph nodes (SLN) in early vulvar cancer.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A single-center retrospective cohort study comparing SLN detection by 99mTc-nanocolloids and ICG was performed in patients presenting early vulvar cancer (T1/2), with clinically negative nodes. All SLN showing a radioactive and/or fluorescent signal were resected. The primary endpoints were the sensitivity, positive predictive value (PPV) and false negative (FN) rate of ICG in detecting SLN compared to 99mTc-nanocolloids.

RESULTS

Thirty patients were included and 99 SLN were identified in 43 groins. Compared to 99mTc-nanocolloids, ICG had a sensitivity of 80.8% (95% CI [72.6; 88.6%]), a PPV of 96.2% (95% CI [91.8; 100%]) and a FN rate of 19.1% in detecting SLN. Seventeen (17.1%) infiltrated (positive) SLN were identified out of the 99 SLN detected. Compared to 99mTc-nanocolloids, ICG showed a sensitivity of 82.3% (95% CI [73.1; 91.5%]), a PPV of 100% and a FN rate of 17.6% (3/17) in detecting infiltrated SLN.

CONCLUSION

Despite its many advantages, ICG cannot be used as the sole tracer for the detection of SLN in early vulvar cancer and should be employed in conjunction with 99mTc-nanocolloids.