Dermal lymphangiomata of the vulva and laser therapy: a case report and literature review

Dermal lymphangioma of the vulva is a rare disorder of the lymphatic system . The mainstay of therapy has been vulvectomy. A 65-year-old woman with a r emote history of cervical cancer who successfully underwent CO, laser vapor ization for extensive vulva lymphangiomata, and a literature review inclusi ve of all 28 previously reported cases are described. Ten (35.7%) of these patients had previously received pelvic radiation for cervical cancer, 8 of whom (80%) had also undergone radical hysterectomy. Including the present case, 5 patients, 3 of whom had previously received radiation therapy, have been treated successfully with laser therapy. These data support laser vap orization with retreatment of persistent or recurrent focal disease as the treatment of choice for dermal lymphangiomata. Surgical excision should be reserved for treatment failures. Radical hysterectomy in association with p ostoperative pelvic radiation therapy appears to be an important, previousl y unrecognized risk factor for its development.