Defining the concept of locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva: a new perspective based on standardization of criteria and current evidence.

The phrase "locally advanced carcinoma of the vulva" has often been mentioned in the literature, though not accurately defined, or even leading to the interpretation overlapping. Grounded on cervical cancer experience, we are able to state that designing a tailored primary strategy based on clinically measurable adverse prognostic factors represents the cornerstone of therapy. This fact urged us to rethink about the real usefulness of the concept of locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva. We will refer to this concept as a clinical entity emerging from a rigorous workup which is a valuable guiding tool in the context of a thorough debate about the best primary treatment approach to be used. Furthermore, bulky tumors of the vulva have been associated with a worse prognosis on several occasions. Some authors have questioned the fact that tumor size has not been considered in the staging system. Finally, a standardized definition will help us compare the results obtained, which is extremely necessary given the worldwide low prevalence of this disease.

An analysis of reported independent prognostic factors for survival in squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva: is tumor size significance being underrated?

OBJECTIVE: To assess independent prognostic factors described in the literature. Thus, to identify different risk groups. METHODS: Review of the records with a diagnosis of primary vulvar squamous cell carcinoma (January/1992-January/2012). INCLUSION CRITERIA: depth of stromal invasion (DSI) >1mm, pathological tumor size >2 cm, and pathological tumor-free margin ≥ 8 mm. Patients who underwent neoadjuvant therapy due to locoregionally advanced vulvar cancer were excluded. All the patients underwent radical, both local and regional, surgery. Adjuvant radiation therapy was administered to all patients with positive nodes. Features of lymph nodes, tumor size, age, grade, lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI), DSI, type of radical surgery, pathological margin distance and stage were evaluated by univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: 194 patients were included. Median age: 67 years. Median follow-up: 62 months. 5-year OS and DFS: 65.5% and 58.2%. Positive lymph nodes were found in 91 (46.9%) patients. After a multivariate analysis, the number of positive lymph nodes, extra-nodal growth, pathologic tumor size and DSI proved to be independent prognostic factors. A high risk group for failure to survive (5y-OS 24%) was identified: tumor size ≥ 6-7.9 cm and DSI >4mm or ≥ 8 cm irrespective of DSI; and extra-nodal growth or ≥2 positive lymph nodes irrespective of tumor size and DSI. CONCLUSIONS: A new high-risk group was identified based on different cutoff values for tumor size, extra-nodal growth and number of positive lymph nodes. This could be very important in the tailored treatment of a specific group of patients with bulky primary tumors and a poorer prognosis.