Radical radiotherapy for carcinoma of the vulva

A study was made of 58 patients with carcinoma of the vulva treated by radical radiotherapy between 1965 and 1982. The choice of treatment technique was influenced by site and extent of disease as well as the general condition of the patient. The crude 5-year survival was 26% (15/58). Local control was achieved in 40% of cases and was associated with tumour size of 4 cm or less. Radionecrosis occurred in nine cases but none of these required surgical intervention. Surgery remains the treatment of choice for carcinoma of the vulva. This report emphasizes that radical radiotherapy has a curative potential in those cases considered unsuitable for surgery and that the necrosis type and rate are within the limits of acceptable morbidity.