Irradiation and bleomycin in the treatment of inoperable vulval carcinoma

Fifteen patients with inoperable squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva were treated with Bleomycin and irradiation. Only 2 patients were also treated with vulvectomy and bilateral lymphadenectomy 2 weeks later. One patients survived more than 4 years without signs of recurrence, another survived 2 1/2 years and 2 more 18 and 12 months respectively. The rest died less than 6 months after the treatment. Three patients developed signs of lung fibrosis. Bleomycin and irradiation may render a tumor operable, but in most cases this regime merely aims at palliation.