Radiation treatment in recurrent squamous cell cancer of the vulva

Purpose: To evaluate the treatment and outcome of recurrent vulvar cancer. Methods and Materials: In a retrospective review of 26 women referred to th e department of radiation oncology between 1982 and 1995, patient records w ere analyzed with respect to the findings at original surgery, the time to locoregional recurrence, the location of the recurrence, and the subsequent management and outcome. Results: Sixteen recurrences were managed with a combination of surgery and radiotherapy, and the remainder with radiation treatment, combined with ch emotherapy in some cases. The overall survival for the entire cohort at 5 y ears was 22%, The 5-year survival for those with recurrence confined to the vulva (n = 13) was 46%, compared with 0% for those women with a recurrence located or extending beyond the vulva (p = 0.002), The local control rate was 34.6%, Conclusion: Our results confirm the poor overall prognosis for this conditi on. In particular, they highlight the importance of the location of the rec urrence as a prognostic indicator. Based on this review, we conclude that r adiotherapy fields should encompass the region at risk if the intent is cur ative. Finally, low-dose palliation for groin node recurrence is ineffectua l, (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc.