Vulvar squamous cell carcinoma. Presentation of 28 patients

Resumen

Abstract

Introduction. Vulvar squamous cell carcinoma constitutes from 1 to 4 percent of all female cancers, and is placed fourth among female genital tract neoplasias.
Objectives. To determine the incidence of vulvar squamous cell carcinoma and identify degree of invasion.
Material and methods. An observational retrospective study was conducted on patients consulting for vulvar pathologies in a period of 4 years and 8 months. The study included 28 patients with clinical and histopathologic diagnosis of vulvar squamous cell carcinoma.
Results. From the total of patients assessed in our hospital offi ce, 6.17 percent (28) had squamous cell carcinoma. The average age was 62.5 years. Of the 28 patients, 64.28 percent (18) had invasive squamous cell carcinoma, and 35.7 percent (10) had vulvar intradermal neoplasia (VIN), where 4 developed from lichen sclerosus, 3 from epithelial dysplasia (diff erentiated VIN) and 3 from a bowenoid papulosis (usual VIN) diagnosis. All patients referred itching as dominant sign, and 60 percent of patients were smokers.
Conclusions. 28 cases of vulvar epidermoid carcinoma were studied, whereof 64.2 percent were invasive and 35.7 percent were VIN. Of the latter, 70 percent were diff erentiated VIN and 30 percent were usual VIN. This case material enabled us to learn about the incidence of squamous cell carcinoma in our setting, and to diff erentiate degrees of invasion and pathogenic factors

(Dermatol Argent 2009; 15(5):344-349).

Key words: squamous cell carcinoma, vulvar intraepidermal neoplasia, vulvar carcinoma.