Factors affecting risk of mortality in women with vaginal cancer

To estimate the current effect of demographics, pathology, and treatment on mortality among women with vaginal cancer.

Using data from 17 population-based cancer registries that participate in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program, 2,149 women diagnosed with primary vaginal cancer between 1990 and 2004 were identified. The association between various demographic factors, tumor characteristics, and treatments and risk of vaginal cancer mortality were evaluated using Cox proportional hazards modeling.

The mean age+/-standard deviation at diagnosis was 65.7+/-14.3 years. Approximately 66% of all cases were non-Hispanic whites. Incidence was highest among African-American women (1.24 per 100,000 person-years). The 5-year disease-specific survival was 84% (stage I), 75% (stage II), and 57% (stage III/IV). In a multivariate adjusted model, women with tumors greater than 4 cm and advanced disease had elevated risks of mortality (hazard ratios 1.71 and 4.67, respectively). Compared with women with squamous cell carcinomas, patients with vaginal melanoma had a 1.51-fold (95% confidence interval 1.07-2.41) increased risk of mortality. Surgery alone as a treatment modality had the lowest risk of mortality. The risk of mortality has decreased over time, as women diagnosed after 2000 had an adjusted 17% decrease in their risk of death compared with women from 1990-1994.

Stage, tumor size, histology, and treatment modality significantly affect a woman's risk of mortality from vaginal cancer. There seems to be a survival advantage that is temporally related to the advent of chemoradiation.