A formula for selective lymphadenectomy. Its application to cancer of the vulva

A statistical formula can be applied to aid clinical judgment in decisions regarding the advisability of lymphadenectomy in gynecologic cancer. If benefit (B) factors in a given case do not exceed debit (D) factors, the procedure is ill-advised. In unilateral vulvar cancer, for example, if the ipsilateral inguinal nodes are negative, the risks from routine contralateral or deep pelvic node dissection appear to exceed the benefits.