Primary vaginal melanoma and long-term survivors

Vaginal melanoma is a rare and highly malignant disease. This report descri bes the characteristics and clinical course of all patients treated at one institute (Northern Gynaecological Oncology Centre, UK) over the last 25 ye ars. Of a total of nine patients identified with a primary malignant vagina l melanoma, only one patient survived for more than five years. A literatur e review revealed only 21 reported cases with a survival greater than five years. The most important factor for survival appears to be the tumour sire . Treatment modality varied equally within the group of long-term survivors (27% radical surgery, 27% wide local excision, 27% radiotherapy, 14% wide local excision and radiotherapy, and 5% unknown therapy). The prognosis of patients with primary malignant melanoma is poor, regardless of primary the rapy (conservative or radical). Conservative treatment and accurate investi gation of every discoloured lesion is recommended.