[Vulvar carcinoma--retrospective study of 47 cases (epidemiology, etiology and long-term results]

To evaluate the incidence of vulvar carcinoma, epidemiological signs and therapeutic results in patients with vulvar malignancies during the stated time period.

Retrospective clinical study.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General Faculty Hospital, Prague.

An analysis of the available clinical documentation of the patients of the oncological outpatient service of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

Vulvar carcinoma represents 4% of all malignant tumours of female genital tract. It concerns predominantly elder women (the average age is 74.2 years). The overall 5-year survival, with no regard to the stage of the disease, is 39.1% in our group. This low figure is due to the high age of the group and to the inappropriate therapeutic approach owed to the internal comorbidity, advanced age and the fact that the majority of cases are diagnosed in advanced stage.

In spite of good access, the introduction of screening program is unlikely due to the age distribution, biological behaviour and difficulties in diagnostic of premalignant lesions. With regard to the increasing incidence of in situ carcinoma whose ethiopathogenesis is affected by HPV infection, it is necessary to pay more attention to vulva lesions in terms of an early histopathological verification. The treatment of the external genital tract malignancies should be concentrated to the centers with the greatest experience of their management.