Primary vaginal melanoma: improved survival with radical pelvic surgery

Primary vaginal melanoma is an aggressive and rare gynecological malignancy with < 150 reported cases to date. Historically, patients with this disease have a poor prognosis for all types of treatment. In several studies containing small numbers of patients conservative therapy often has been recommended. Eight patients from our institute with this disease were divided into two groups according to therapy: Group A, radical (4); and Group B, conservative (4). The groups were compared for stage, age, surface area of the lesion, and quality of life. The 2-year survival in Group A (75%) was significantly better than that of group B (0%). There was also found to be an improved survival in patients who had lesions with a surface area < 10 cm2. Age and stage of disease did not affect prognosis. Quality of life was not reduced in the radical group. A review of all reported cases since 1949 (119) was then performed. These were divided into the same Group A, radical (50); and Group B, conservative (69). Again, a statistically significant improved outcome was found with the radically treated patients (48%) when compared to the conservatively treated patients (20%). Our findings suggest that radical surgery for patients with primary vaginal melanoma is recommended in patients with lesions < 10 cm2.