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Published on: October 25, 2024
Pelvic organ prolapse and vaginal cancer: A systematic literature review
Matteo Frigerio1, Alessandra Inzoli2, Marta Barba2
1ASST Monza, Ospedale San Gerardo, Monza, Italy.
Background:
Primary vaginal cancer is a rare gynecologic malignancy. Few cases describing the concurrence of a vaginal tumor with advanced genital prolapse are reported in the literature and there is no consensus on optimal treatment.
Objectives:
To investigate available evidence on presentation, treatment, and outcomes of these concurrent conditions.
Search Strategy:
We performed a systematic search of literature indexed on PubMed, Scopus, ISI Web of Science, and Cochrane using a combination of keywords and text words represented by "pelvic organ prolapse", "genital prolapse", and "vaginal cancer", "vaginal carcinoma".
Selection Criteria:
No article type restrictions were applied.
Data Collection And Analysis:
Twenty-one studies (case reports and two small case series) were incorporated into the review process, for a total of 27 patients.
Main Results:
Management usually involved surgery or primary external beam radiation therapy. External beam radiation therapy was reported to be highly associated with the development of vesicovaginal fistula. A surgical approach was the treatment of choice in most cases. Exclusive interstitial brachytherapy was rarely performed.
Conclusion:
A multidisciplinary approach considering risks and benefits is of the utmost importance to provide counseling and tailor treatment strategy in these complex cases.
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