[Clinical symptoms and high voltage therapy (electron therapy) of the vulvar carcinoma]

A report is given about the results of radiotherapy in 139 patients with vulvar carcinomas treated at the Radiologic University Hospital in Münster. This group of patients had undergone a very heterogenic preliminary treatment. Radiotherapy carried out mainly with 18 MeV electrons brought about a five-year survival rate of 58%. Due to the favorable action of the split course method, the incidence of side effects was very low regarding the total focal dose of 60 Gy (27% exudative reactions, 11% superficial ulcerations). Taking into account the unsurmountable difficulties caused by the high age of the patients and the numerous accompanying risk factors, the treatment results achieved during the last few years can probably only be gradually improved. After an operation performed as radically as possible, radiotherapy should aim at a low recurrence rate.