[Uses of improved Gersuny-Lowsley's operation in radical surgery for vulvar cancer]

As a tumor of the body surface, theoretically there should be no problem to achieve an early diagnosis and early treatment in carcinoma of the vulva. However, factually it is not always the case. Missed diagnosis is not uncommon and extensive local invasion in late cases may lead to very poor prognosis in patients treated by regular radical vulvectomy. Urethral involvement by vulvar cancer constitutes a special challenge to the gynecologic oncologists. The authors have developed an improved Gersuny-Lowsley's operation in addition to radical vulvectomy to preserve the function of urination and defecation after complete resection of the involved urethra. This modified procedure has been carried out in 10 patients with satisfactory functional control in 8 cases. A follow-up study for 1-10 years reveals no evidence of recurrence in all 10 cases.