RESUMO
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.
Assuntos
Carcinoma de Células Escamosas/patologia , Terminologia como Assunto , Neoplasias Vulvares/patologia , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas/terapia , Terapia Combinada , Medicina Baseada em Evidências/métodos , Feminino , Humanos , Estadiamento de Neoplasias , Prognóstico , Neoplasias Vulvares/terapiaRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To determine the feasibility of performing neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCH) followed by radical surgery in patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva. METHODS: Prospective and multicenter trial. Thirty-five patients with a diagnosis of previously untreated locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva were given 4 schemes of cisplatin-based NCH and 1 NCH regimen with single bleomycin. Then, they underwent radical surgery of the vulva if clinical response was 50% or more. Age, NCH schemes used, toxicity, response to treatment, type of radical surgery performed, and clinical outcome were evaluated. RESULTS: Thirty-three patients completed the proposed schemes, and 30 were assessed for radical surgery. Finally, 27 patients underwent radical surgery (radical vulvectomy or radical local excision plus bilateral inguinofemoral lymphadenectomy). In 2 cases of persistent rectal involvement, posterior pelvic exenteration was performed. Moreover, 24 of 27 patients remain with no evidence of disease to date. Toxicity was acceptable. Median age was 62 years (range, 54-72 years). Median follow-up was 49 months (range, 4-155 months). CONCLUSIONS: The use of NCH in selected groups may increase surgical feasibility in initially inoperable patients, thus favoring organ preservation and less extensive resections. Adverse reactions were acceptable, and vulvoperineal deleterious effects that may occur after radiotherapy were consequently avoided.