Basal cell carcinoma of the vulva

A clinical and histopathologic study of material from a series of 21 patients with basal cell carcinoma treated from 1960 until 1979 are reviewed. In 3 patients 'mixed' tumor was recorded. The histopathologic diagnosis: basosquamous carcinoma and the behavior of this carcinoma are discussed. The mean age of the patients was 76 years. Presenting symptomatology consisted primarily of bleeding, burning or itching, and ulcerations. No case of pure basal cell carcinoma gave metastasis to the regional lymph nodes, in no case could the cause of death be attributed directly to this kind of lesion. A conservative approach consisting of wide local excision is suggested.