[Lymphography in malignant vulvar and vaginal tumors. 1. Clinical significance]

The results of a retrograde analysis of lymphographic processes in 111 patients with malign vulvar and vaginal tumours are substantiating statements concerning the importance of lymphography in diagnosing metastastic processes in lymph-nodes of the inguinal and retroperitoneal region. -- Metastases could be proved lymphographically in 24 (34%) out of 70 carcinomas of the vulva and 8 (22%) out of 37 carcinomas of the vagina. In 24% of all patients with carcinomas of the vulva there were lymph-nodes involved, in two of these cases without a simultaneous involvement of the inguinal region. With carcinomas of the vagina a lumbar involvement was found in 50% of the cases. The accuracy of lymphographic diagnosis was 79% regarding the inguinal region and 89% in the iliac region. Despite of the lower accuracy with regard to inguinal lymph-nodes lymphography exceeds findings obtained by clinical palpation in this respect. As a result of the study, the use of lymphography in case of vulvar and vaginal carcinomas of all clinical stages is considered to be profitable for diagnosing and therapy planning.