[Cancer of the vulva: Diagnostic stages, treatment and survival in a country with limited resources (Burkina Faso)]

Abstract

Introduction: Vulvar cancer is rare and belatedly diagnosed in Africa. We describe its diagnostic stages, therapeutic and evolution features in a country with limited resources.

Methodology: Forty-seven cases of vulvar cancer diagnosed between 2013 and 2018 in Burkina Faso, were analyzed retrospectively. The diagnostic stages, therapeutic and evolution terms were considered. Survival was calculated through the Kaplan Meier Method and compared using the Logrank technique.

Results: Stages IA and IB accounted for 10.6%. Radiotherapy was not available and chemotherapy was done in 9 cases. Full vulvectomy with bilateral inguino-femoral dissection was performed in 11 cases. Average survival was 41 months with a median of 52 months. The difference in survival according to the diagnostic stages were highly significant statistically (P=0.000).

Discussion: Cancer of the vulva is rare and raises major therapeutic difficulties in countries with limited resources. Surgery is the only affordable weapon. Evolution would be better if radiochemotherapy was possible.

Conclusion: Radiochemotherapy cannot be done due to the lack of a radiotherapy unit and the high cost of cytotoxics. Surgery is largely palliative and/or mutilating. Survival is modest. An early diagnosis could help promote conserving treatments.

Keywords: Cancer; Diagnostic stages; Stades diagnostiques; Vulva; Vulve; Vulvectomie; Vulvectomy.