Management of squamous cell vulvar cancer: a review

J Obstet Gynaecol Res. 2014 May;40(5):1217-25. doi: 10.1111/jog.12352. Epub 2014 Apr 21.

Abstract

Squamous cell vulvar cancer is a rare gynecologic malignancy. Standard treatment for early stage disease consists of wide radical excision of the primary tumor with inguinal-femoral lymphadenectomy or sentinel lymph node mapping/biopsy. Because of the general paucity of patients with advanced vulvar cancer, there is no standard therapy for advanced disease and therefore treatment should be individualized. Intergroup trials are needed to clarify the value of chemoradiation, neoadjuvant chemotherapy and targeted therapy in patients with advanced squamous cell cancer of the vulva to identify modalities with the best therapeutic index and lowest morbidity.

Keywords: review; squamous cell cancer; vulvar cancer.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / diagnosis
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / therapy*
  • Chemoradiotherapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lymph Node Excision
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Postoperative Complications / therapy
  • Vulvar Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Vulvar Neoplasms / pathology
  • Vulvar Neoplasms / therapy*