Conservative surgery for vulvovaginal melanoma

22 cases of vulvovaginal melanoma seen in Umeă between 1963 and 1989 were retrospectively reviewed. According to FIGO, 11 were in Stage I, 6 in Stage II, 3 in Stage IV and 2 in Stage VI. Most patients received only conservative surgery and/or radiotherapy. 8 patients (36%) were alive at 5 years and 4 survived more than 10 years. The longest survivor at 17 years is still alive without evidence of disease. Conservative surgery seems to give as good results as radical operation for vulvovaginal melanomas and FIGO clinical staging appears to be of limited prognostic value.