4. Epidemiology
⢠Rare malignancy
⢠1-2% of all gynecological malignancies
⢠Diagnosis of exclusion
⢠Peak incidence- 6th and 7th decade
⢠Mean age- 65.7¹ 14.3 years
6. Vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia
⢠Incidence- 0.2-0.3 cases per 1 lac population
⢠Peak incidence 40-60 years
⢠VAIN-1 and 2- common in younger age group than VAIN-3
Risk factors-
⢠Low sociocultural level
⢠H/O genital warts
⢠Prior history of hysterectomy
at any age
⢠H/O CIN
⢠Immunosuppression
⢠Smoking
⢠Exposure to DES
⢠H/O STDs or HPV infection
⢠Prior pelvic irradiation
(controversial)
7. Natural history of VAIN
Risk of invasive carcinoma increases with VAIN:-
⢠4.5% had VAIN-1, progressed to stage I cancer in 5 years
⢠4.5% had VAIN- 3, progressed to stage I cancer in 4 years
⢠Overall spontaneous regression rate- 78%, of which 78%
occurring in VAIN-1 and 2
Clinical presentation :-
ďźUsually asymptomatic
ďźDetected after cytologic evaluation in routine surveillance
ďźSurveillance cytology recommended post hysterectomy
8. VAIN pathology
⢠Definition- squamous cell atypia without evidence of invasion
⢠Classified according to depth of invasion-
ďśSuperficial 1/3rd âVAIN-1
ďśSuperficial 2/3rd â VAIN-2
ďś> 2/3rd â VAIN-3
ďśCIS- encompasses full epithelial thickness - included in VAIN-3
⢠Most lesions are epidermoid;
⢠Superior 1/3rd vagina- most commonly involved
⢠Exhibit full thickness alterations with atypical mitoses
⢠Mostly multifocal
⢠Associated with HPV infection (92.6-100% cases)
ďśHPV 16 or 18 â 9%, 7% and 67% of VAIN- 1, 2 and 3 respectively
9. VAIN- treatment options
⢠No consensus guideline available
⢠Treatment approaches are-
⢠Local excision
⢠Partial or total vaginectomy (52-100% success rate)
⢠Laser vaporization (48-100% success rate)
⢠Electrocoagulation
⢠Topical 5-FU (75-100% success rate)
⢠Radiotherapy (83-100% success rate)
Most patients with VAIN-1ď close surveillance
10. Surgical and ablative therapies
⢠Surgical approaches include:-
ďźLocal excision
ďźPartial vaginectomy- vaginal vault
- post hysterectomy recesses
ďźTotal vaginectomy- rarely done (for highly extensive disease)
⢠Mostly performed via transvaginal approach
⢠Local therapy-
ďźCold knife approach
ďźElectrosurgical loop excision
ďźLaser
ďźUltrasonic surgical aspiration
ďźCO2 laser
13. Radiation therapy
â˘Control rate- 80-100%
â˘Techniques- LDR/ MDR/ HDR
â˘Reserved for patients â
ďźRelapse after more conservative treatment
â˘Drawbacks-
ďźUnder-treatment of occult invasive disease
ďźRisk of 2nd malignancy- no data available
ďźLong term morbidity
16. Risk factors
⢠HPV infection (80% with in situ disease and 60% with invasive disease)
⢠H/O CIN (10-50% cases develop disease after approx.14 years)
⢠Vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia
⢠Immunosuppression
⢠Early onset of intercourse
⢠Increased number of lifetime sexual partners
⢠Smoking
⢠Low socioeconomic status
⢠H/O genital warts
⢠Vaginal discharge/ irritation
⢠H/O abnormal cytology
⢠H/O prior irradiation- controversial
ď§ Prior hysterectomy
ď§ Use of vaginal pessary
ď§ Vaginal trauma
ď§ Alcoholism
17. Clinical presentation
⢠Irregular vaginal bleed (65% cases)- primary symptom
⢠Vaginal discharge (10-15% cases)- 2nd most common
symptom
⢠Presence of a mass
⢠Pain
⢠Urinary symptoms (Frequency/ Dysuria/ Hematuria)
⢠GI complaints (Tenesmus/ Constipation/ Malaena)
18. Clinical presentation ContdâŚ
⢠Nodular/ ulcerated/ indurated/ exophytic/ endophytic lesion
⢠Well/ moderate/ poorly differentiated
⢠Keratinizing/ non-keratinizing/ basaloid/ warty/ verrucous
⢠Most common site- upper 1/3rd of vagina (50-83% cases)
⢠Middle and lower thirdď equally involved or lower third > middle
third
⢠Posterior vaginal wall involvement ⼠anterior wall
⢠Verrucous carcinoma-
ďźHistological variant
ďźWell circumscribed, soft, cauliflower like mass
ďźWell differentiated
ďźPapillary growth pattern
ďźAcanthotic epithelium
ďźLess aggressive behavior
ďźRarely metastasizes
19. Clinical presentation
⢠Spreads along vaginal wallď involves cervix/ vulva,
⢠Spreads radiallyď
1. Into the lumenď exophytic mass
2. Through the vaginal wallď invades surrounding structures
⢠Anterior wall lesionď vesicovaginal septum/ urethra
⢠Posterior wall lesionď rectovaginal septumď rectal mucosa
⢠Lateral extensionď parametrium and paracolpol tissue
Urogenital diaphragm, levator ani muscle or pelvic fascia
Pelvic side wall
20. Lymphatic spread
⢠Risk of nodal involvement-
ďźIncreases with stage
ďź20% have clinically positive inguinal nodes at the time of diagnosis
ďźNodal failure- most common form of local recurrence
â˘Stage I- 0-14%
â˘Stage II- 21-32%
â˘Stage III- 78%
â˘Stage IV- 83%
21. Distant spread/ hematogenous spread
⢠Most common site- lung > liver and bone
⢠Stage wise incidence-
â˘Stage I- 16%
â˘Stage II- 31%
â˘Stage IIB- 46%
â˘Stage III- 62%
â˘Stage IV- 50%
22. Initial evaluation
⢠Complete history and thorough physical examination
⢠CBC, LFT and KFT
⢠EUA for complete assessment of tumor extent and vaginal walls
⢠Bimanual examination
⢠Biopsy of suspected lesion
⢠Colposcopy with acetic acid followed by lugolâs iodine- may be done
⢠Biopsy from cervix- to rule out cervical primary
23. Initial evaluation ContdâŚ
Imaging
ďźChest x-ray
ďźCystoscopy and proctosigmoidoscopy- if indicated
ďźCT scan- for local disease, lymphadenopathy and renal
parenchyma
ďźCEMRI (superior to CT)
- Delineation of primary
- LN assessment
- 80% sensitive, 88% specific
ďźUSG guided FNAC of suspicious LNs
ďźWhole body PET CT scan- 67% sensitive, 95% specific
26. Prognostic factors
⢠Stage at the time of presentation- most important factor
⢠5 year survival rate (NCDB and Shah et al)
⢠Lymph node involvement
⢠Size of initial lesion
ďź5 year survival rate- (SEER database study and Tran et al)
â˘Stage 0- 96%
â˘Stage I- 73%
â˘Stage II- 58%
â˘Stage III and IV- 36%
â˘Size ⼠4 cm- 65%
â˘Size < 4cm- 84%
27. Prognostic factors ContdâŚ
⢠Tumor involving ⼠2/3rd of vagina
⢠Tumor with circumferential growth
⢠Location of the lesion-
ďź5 year survival rate- 60% -upper 1/3rd of vagina
- 37.5%- middle 1/3rd of vagina
- 37%- lower 1/3rd of vagina
ďźLesions of posterior vaginal wall- 10 year recurrence rate- 32% (vs.19% in
anterior wall)
⢠Histologic grade
⢠Age
⢠HPV- favorable in stage III onwards
30. Surgery
⢠Indications-
ďźEarly stage lesions
ďźPreviously irradiated patients
⢠WLE-
ďźCarcinoma in situ
ďźSmall, superficially invasive, well demarcated lesions
⢠Radical hysterectomy, upper vaginectomy and bilateral pelvic
lymphadenectomy-
ďźExtensive lesion in proximal vaginal canal ď if positive margin,
then adjuvant radiation
31. Surgery ContdâŚ
Lesions extending to inferior vagina
Total vaginectomy with radical hysterectomy, pelvic lymphadenectomy Âą
vulvovaginectomy and inguinofemoral lymphadenectomy
Vagina is in close proximity with rectum and urethra
Early involvement of these structures
Pelvic exenteration in 40-50% cases to obtain negative margins
â˘Anterior exenteration
ďźFor invasive anterior wall lesions
ďźRemoves-
1. Vagina
2. Urethra
3. Bladder
â˘Posterior exenteration
ďźFor invasive posterior wall lesions
ďźRemoves-
1. Vagina
2. Rectum
â˘Complete exenteration-
ďźFor deeply invasive,
circumferential lesions
â˘Radiotherapy is the treatment of choice
32. Surgery ContdâŚ
⢠Select stage I disease-
ďźSurgery may have excellent result
ďź5 year survival rate- 56-100%
⢠Neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgery-
ďźBenedetti et al [5] -
1. 11 patients with stage II SCC vagina
2. 3 cycles of NACT (Paclitaxel+ Cisplatin)
3. 91% had pCR or CR, out of which 27% had CR
4. 100% had clear margin post surgery
5. 1 patient had positive LN
6. Median follow up time- 75 months
34. Stage I
⢠Stage I lesions- 0.5-1 cm in thickness
⢠Individualised management based on-
ďźSize
ďźDepth
ďźLocation
⢠May be treated with brachytherapy alone
⢠Local control rate- 67-100%
⢠Perez et al â
ďźStage I patients, treated with brachytherapy alone
ďźDose- 60-70 Gy, prescribed 5 mm beyond the plane of implant or
vaginal mucosa
ďźVaginal surface dose- 80-120 Gy
ďź88% pelvic tumor control
Frank et al & Dancuart et al
Result- Pelvic relapse rate of
18% at 10 years in patients
treated with brachytherapy
alone
35. ⢠Entire length of the vagina is treated to a mucosal dose of 60 to 65 Gy
⢠Additional mucosal dose of 20 to 30 Gy delivered to the area of tumor involvement
⢠LDR brachytherapy-
ďźTreatment can be delivered in two applications
ďź1st to treat the entire vaginal wall
ďź2nd application to cover the tumor volume
ďźDelivered with a shielded vaginal cylinder to treat the tumor with a 2-cm margin
⢠HDR brachytherapy-
ďźTo treat superficial lesions
ďźVaginal mucosa - dose of 21 to 25 Gy, prescribed to a depth of 5 mm, in weekly #s of
5 to 7 Gy each
ďźAdditional 21 to 25 Gy delivered to the tumor , prescribed to a depth of 5 mm, via
shielded vaginal cylinder, with weekly #s of 5 to 7 Gy
ďźTotal dose - 42 to 50 Gy
36. When the lesion is thicker than 5 mm!
⢠Combination of intracavitary and interstitial brachytherapy
⢠Vaginal cylinder delivers 45 Gy (LDR) or 21 to 25 Gy (HDR) to a
depth of 5 mm into the vaginal mucosa
⢠Subsequent therapy - via interstitial implant, to deliver an additional
dose of 25 to 35 Gy (LDR) to the tumor volume
For more extensive stage I lesions, with
greater infiltration or poor differentiation
ď§ Combination of EBRT and brachytherapy is used
37. Stage II - Radiotherapy
Primary treatment
⢠EBRT + Brachytherapy
ďź36% pelvic tumor control with brachytherapy alone
ďź67% with EBRT + brachytherapy
⢠Dose- 45-50.4 Gy, 1.8 Gy/ #, with parametrial boost if-
ďźExtensive primary infiltration
ďźHigh suspicion of nodal disease
ďźFor lesions involving distal vaginal canal-
ďInguinal LN are included in whole pelvic field
⢠Tumor volume should receive 75-80 Gy combining EBRT +
brachytherapy dosages
39. ⢠Minimum tumor dose- 75-80 Gy
⢠If extensive tumor infiltration
⢠Involvement of rectovaginal septum/ bladder
⢠Overall cure rate-
ďźStage III- 30-50%
ďźStage IV- worse prognosis
⢠5 year actuarial survival rate-
ďźStage III- 25-58% and local failure rate- 30-75%
ďźStage IV- 0-40%
Shrinking field
technique/
IMRT is used
40. Role of chemotherapy and radiation
⢠No randomised controlled trials available comparing RT alone with
CTRT
⢠Cisplatin is used by extrapolating data of improved PFS and OS in
cervical carcinoma
⢠5-FU and Mitomycin C- also used, but results were inferior
⢠Frank et al - retrospective series at MDACC
ďź9 patients with stage II- IVA
ďźRT alone and RT+ concurrent cisplatin chemotherapy
ďźMedian follow up time- 129 months
ďź44% treated with CTRT were free of disease
42. External beam radiotherapy
⢠Radio opaque marker- used to delineate distal tumor margin
⢠CT simulation for contouring of vessels for LN localization
⢠Frog leg position- for inguinal LN treatment
⢠CECT preferred over NCCT for planning purpose
⢠Fusion of pelvic MRI or PET CT with planning CT, if available
43. 2 D treatment planning
⢠Opposed anterior and posterior fields (AP/PA)- most commonly used
⢠4 field technique with small bowel blocks in lateral fields
⢠Avoid shielding of presacral, perirectal and anterior external iliac LNs
while shielding small bowel
⢠Target volume must cover-
ďźVagina
ďźCommon iliac nodes
ďźExternal iliac nodes
ďźObturator nodes
44. 2 D treatment planning ContdâŚ
⢠Borders-
ďźSuperior border- L5-S1 interspace (covering the retroperitoneal nodes)
- or 1-2 cm superior to inferior margin of SI joint
- If positive pelvic LN, then L4-5 interspace or higher
to include common iliac nodes
ďźInferior border- introitus or 4 cm distal to vaginal tumor
ďźLateral border- 1.5-2 cm lateral to pelvic brim
ďźLateral fields-
ďąAnterior border- pubic symphysis
ďąPosterior border- S2-3 interspace
â˘Mostly failures occur in vagina, paracolpos and parametria
â˘Regional nodes must be negative on imaging
45. How to minimize dose to femoral heads
while 2 D planning
⢠Electron boost to inguinal nodes
⢠Unequally weighted AP/ PA beams (2:1)
⢠Low and high energy photons
⢠Wide AP and narrow PA fields with boost to inguinal nodes
46. 3 D conformal radiotherapy
⢠GTV- gross disease+ palpable LN+ suspicious LN on imaging
⢠CTV-
ďźGTV with 1-2 cm margin
ďźEntire length of vagina
ďźParavaginal tissue up to pelvic side wall
ďźBilateral pelvic LNs
⢠Pelvic nodal CTV-
ďź1-2 cm margin around blood vessel
ďźCommon iliac LN
ďźExternal iliac LN
ďźInternal iliac LN
ďźFor distal vaginal involvement- inguinal LN are included
ďźInferior border- ischial tuberosity or lesser trochanter
ďźObturator LN
ďźPerirectal LN
ďźPresacral LN
47. 3 D conformal radiotherapy
⢠PTV- CTV+ 1 cm
⢠Dose- 45-50.4 Gy/ 1.8 Gy per fraction ¹ Parametrial boost 50-65 Gy
⢠Elective nodal irradiation of inguinal nodes- 45-50 Gy
⢠Gross nodal disease- 60-65 Gy
⢠After EBRT, tumor of vaginal apex > 0.5 cm depth-
ďźInterstitial brachytherapy/ EBRT boost
⢠Tumor < 0.5 cm depth-
ďźIntracavitary brachytherapy
⢠Tumors of mid vagina or distal vagina-
ďźInterstitial brachytherapy/ EBRT boost
⢠Anterior/ lateral tumors of mid vagina-
ďźInterstitial brachytherapy
48. IMRT
⢠Must be done cautiously
ďźConstant normal tissue changes
ďźRapid response with RT
ďźVaginal volume should be contoured with both bladder full and empty
ďźRectal filling must be taken care of
ď§ Dose constraints (RTOG trial 0921)
ďź No > 30% of entire small and large bowel should receive > 40 Gy
ďź D2cc- maximum 55Gy
ďź At least 35% of bladder volume must receive ⤠45 Gy with D2cc 90Gy
ďź At least 60% of rectosigmoid junction must receive ⤠40 Gy with D2cc 70-
75 Gy maximum
ďź At least 15% of femoral head must receive ⤠35Gy
ďź Plans must be optimized to minimize volume of PTV receiving > 110% of
prescribed dose
49. Brachytherapy
⢠Indications-
ďźSuperficial disease ⤠5 mm in thicknessď intracavitary
ďźThickness > 5mmď interstitial brachytherapy
⢠Intracavitary brachytherapy as monotherapy-
ďźVAIN
ďźHighly selected stage I patients with minimally invasive disease
⢠Used after EBRT as boost with small lesions < 5 mm thick
⢠Cumulative dose- 70-75 Gy
50. LDR intracavitary brachytherapy
⢠Most commonly performed with vaginal cylinder of Cs-137
⢠2-3 Cesium sources are placed along the central tandem
⢠Most appropriate when thickness ⤠5 mm, due to rapid fall of dose
⢠Labia are sutured close, to secure the implant in place
51. HDR intracavitary brachytherapy
⢠Iridium-192 is used
⢠Dose- 3-8 Gy per session for 1-6 sessions
⢠Mock et al â
ďźLargest series of HDR brachytherapy, at Vienna
ďź86 patients with stage 0-II
ďźIntracavitary HDR brachytherapy alone
ďźDose per fraction- 5-8 Gy, mean dose 7 Gy, 2-6 sessions (median-5)
ďź5 year recurrence free survival- 100%, 77% and 50% for stage 0, I and II
52. Interstitial brachytherapy
⢠Indications-
1. Paravaginal extension
2. Lesion thickness > 5 mm
3. Distal vaginal extension
4. Vagina unable to accommodate standard intracavitary applicators
Dose-
ďźWith gross residual disease- 70-90 Gy, with 60 Gy prescribed to entire
vaginal surface
57. Epidemiology
⢠<1% of all cancers diagnosed in women
⢠3-4% of all gynecologic malignancy
⢠Incidence increases with age
⢠Median age 68 years
⢠Constitutes 0.4% new cancer cases in USA
⢠Estimated number of cases in 2018 in USA- 6190 with
1200 (0.2%) deaths due to vulvar Ca
58. Cancer vulva- facts
⢠Vulvar cancer has two peaks in age incidence
⢠Younger vulvar cancer patients-
1.More commonly smoke
2.Higher incidence of HPV infection
3.Associated with vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN)
⢠In elderly patients
1.HPV infection is less likely
2.Concurrent VIN less common
3.Background of lichen sclerosus is common
⢠Only 4% of patients with lichen sclerosus will develop clinically
apparent neoplasia
60. Clinical features
â˘Vaginal pruritus- most common
â˘Vulvar lesion-
â˘Bleeding
â˘Pain
â˘Discharge
â˘Dysuria
â˘Rectal bleeding
â˘Enlarged groin lymph node
â˘Lower extremity edema
â˘Unifocal vulvar plaque
â˘Ulcer
â˘Mass
â˘Multifocal in 5% cases
61. Primary sites
â˘70% - labia majora and minora
â˘15% - clitoris
â˘5% perineum and fourchette
prepuce, Bartholinâs glands and urethra
â˘5% - too extensive at presentation to classify
63. Lymphatic spread
â˘Most commonly seen in-
â˘Superficial inguinofemoral LNâ deep inguinofemoral nodes
â˘Contralateral LN involvement is unusual for well lateralized
disease
â˘Lesions of the clitoris or urethra can spread directly to pelvic
lymph nodes
â˘High grade tumors
â˘Spray growth pattern
â˘Lymphatic space invasion
64. Factors affecting LN involvement
⢠Tumor thickness
⢠Histologic grade
⢠Capillary like space involvement
⢠Depth of invasion
⢠Location of tumor
⢠Extension to other sites (also worsens the prognosis)
⢠Tumor size
⢠Clinical stage
⢠Positive inguinal nodes
⢠Positive margin at primary site
⢠PNI
â˘When â¤1 mm, LN involvement is â¤5%
â˘When it is âĽ5mm, LN involvement increases to 33.3%
- Rowley et al, Gynecol Oncol, 1988
â˘Depth of invasion of 1,2 and 3 mm corresponds to
4.3, 7.8 and 17% incidence of LN involvement
- Rowley et al, Gynecol Oncol, 1988
65. Distant metastases/ hematogenous
⢠Typically occurs late in the course of disease
⢠Rare without inguinofemoral LN involvement
⢠Portends a very poor outlook
⢠Most common site- lungs > liver > bones
*
*Hacker NF, Berek JS, Lagasse LD, et al. Management of regional lymph nodes
and their prognostic influence in vulvar cancer. Obstet Gynecol 1983; 61:408.
No. of positive LNs Risk of hematogenous spread
â¤3 4%
>3 66%
66. Prognostic factors
⢠Lymph node metastasis
⢠Tumor size
⢠LVI
â˘Most important prognostic factor
â˘Presence of inguinal LN â 50% reduction in long term survival
67. Initial evaluation
⢠Complete history and thorough physical examination
⢠CBC, LFT and KFT
⢠EUA, (cystoscopy and proctoscopy- if indicated)
⢠Imaging
ďźMay not be necessary in early lesions
ďźCT scan- for lymphadenopathy
ďźCEMRI
- Delineation of primary
- LN assessment
- 80% sensitive, 88% specific
ďźUSG guided FNAC of suspicious LNs
ďźWhole body PET CT scan- 67% sensitive, 95% specific
71. Challenges in the management
â˘Patients - older & have comorbidities
â˘Tumor easily involve adjacent organs
⢠The treatment can have major psychosexual impact
on patients
73. Outline of management
Early invasive disease
⢠Surgery
⢠Radiation therapy
Advanced disease
⢠Multimodality approach
⢠CTRT as
ďźNeoadjuvant or
ďźPost operative adjuvant
74. Radiation therapy in early invasive disease
⢠Radiation to the tumor bed to prevent local recurrence
⢠Pathologic features associated with higher risk of LR
ďźLymphatic-vascular invasion (LVI)
ďźDepth of invasion >5 mm
ďźMargins <8 mm
ďźMicroscopically positive margins
⢠Patients with
ďźExtracapsular extension (ECE) of tumor in the nodes
ďźResidual disease in the inguinal areas
⢠Postoperative radiation should be given to-
ďźPelvis
ďźGroins
ďźPrimary tumor bed area
75. GOG trial
⢠Patients underwent bilateral inguinal lymphadenectomy
⢠Inclusion criteria- positive groin nodes
⢠Arms- pelvic lymphadenectomy or radiation to the pelvis and bilateral groins
⢠Findings-
Radiation arm
Pelvic
lymphadenectomy
arm
Groin recurrence
rate
5.1% 23.6%
2 year survival
benefit
(p value= 0.03)
68% 54%
Homesley HD, Bundy BN, Sedlis A, et al. Radiation therapy versus pelvic node resection for
carcinoma of the vulva with positive groin nodes. Obstet Gynecol 1986;68:733â740
79. Wide local excision
⢠Also known as-
ďźRadical local excision or radical wide excision or
modified radical vulvectomy
ďźDisease should not involve-
ďAnus
ďVagina
ďUrethra
ďźDepth of excision- deep perineal fascia
ďź2 cm clear margin (at least 1cm)
ďźIf clitoris is involved or abutted, cannot be preserved
80. Inguinofemoral lymph node dissection
⢠Must be done cautiously
⢠Complications-
ďźWound breakdown
ďźLower extremity lymphoedema
⢠Indications-
ďźTumor size >2 cm
ďźDepth of invasion- >1mm
ďźMidline or clitoral lesion
ďźPalpable inguinal lymph nodes
81. ⢠Small (<2cm), lateralized lesions may be treated by u/l groin
dissection
⢠For midline and clitoral lesions & for those >2cm b/l groins
should be assessed
⢠For patients undergoing primary surgery, palpable inguinal
nodes should be removed
⢠Assessment of groin nodes can be done via full superficial
inguinal dissection or sentinel lymph node procedure
82. Pelvic lymph node
Clinically or pathologically positive groin nodes
Increased risk of contralateral groin and pelvic LN involvement
⢠GOG trial[1]
ďźPelvic node dissection vs. pelvic node radiation
ďźSimilar result in terms of control
ďźResult- RT to the pelvic node is preferred over surgery
ďźReason- women in need of treatment to pelvis, also require RT to
primary and/ or inguinal nodes
1. Homesley HD, Bundy BN, Sedlis A, et al. Radiation therapy versus pelvic node resection
for carcinoma of the vulva with positive groin nodes. Obstet Gynecol 1986;68:733â740.
85. Treatment volume
⢠Target volume- vulva+ both groins+ lower pelvic nodes
⢠Use of midline block should be avoided- may increase the chance for local
recurrence
⢠Factors associated with increase in chances of vulvoperineal recurrence are-
ďźClose or positive margin (<8 mm)
ďźPrimary tumor size > 4 cm
ďźLVSI
ďźDeep invasion (> 9 mm)
ďźTumor thickness >1 cm
ďźInfiltrative growth pattern/ spray pattern
ďź> 25% keratin in the tumor
ďźHigh mitotic rate >10/10 hpf
86. Treatment field
⢠Superior border- middle of SI joint to
cover external and internal iliac nodes
⢠If external and internal iliac nodes are
positive â superior border extended to
L3/4 interspace to cover common iliac
nodes
⢠Inferior border- should cover entire
vulva and most superficial, inferior
inguinal nodes
⢠Lateral border- 2 cm lateral to the widest
point of pelvic inlet Position- Frog leg
87. ⢠To reduce dose to femoral head while using AP field-
ďźNarrow posterior field covering only the pelvis and sparing femoral
heads
ďźInguinal dose is supplemented with electron field matched with pelvic
field
⢠Bolus- to ensure adequate dose to superficial portion of groins
⢠2nd method- wide AP field with narrow PA field, with partial
transmission block placed in central portion of AP field
⢠3rd method- AP/PA field to include primary and pelvic nodes
- Groin with separate anterior electron fields
88.
89.
90. IMRT technique
⢠GTV- gross tumor/ post op tumor bed
⢠CTV- 1 cm margin around GTV
- 1-2 cm margin around B/l external iliac, internal iliac and inguinofemoral LNs for
pelvic nodal CTV
⢠PTV- 1 cm margin around CTV
⢠Dose- 43-48 Gy in pre op setting, 45-50.4 Gy for post op cases and 59.4-64.8 Gy for
unresectable disease,1.8 Gy/ fraction
⢠Post operative RT should be started within 6-8 weeks
⢠Large nodes may be boosted to a total dose of 70 Gy
91. Preoperative radiotherapy with
concurrent chemotherapy
⢠Dose- 45-55 Gy
⢠Chemotherapy regimen- 5-FU, Cisplatin and Mitomycin-C
CTRT
CR
Inguinal LN
dissection is
must
93. Post operative radiotherapy
⢠Indications-
ďźLimited surgery (for organ preservation)
ďźPositive or close margin (<8 mm)
ďźLVI
ďźDepth of tumor invasion > 5mm
ďź> 1 involved inguinal node
ďźECE
ďźGross residual nodal disease
⢠In positive or close margin, re-resection prior to RT can be done
⢠Field- same as earlier (AP/PA)
⢠Dose- 50 Gy (50-60 Gy if ECE present and 65-70 Gy for R2 resection)
95. Brachytherapy ContdâŚ
⢠Dose- 3-4 Gy times 4-6 sessions, 2 sessions per day,
prescribed at 3-4 mm from applicator surface, or
⢠7-10 Gy, 3 sessions, once weekly, dose prescribed at 3-4 mm
at surface
96. Chemotherapy
⢠Chemotherapy alone is reserved for patients-
ďźAdvanced disease
ďźInoperable disease
ďźMetastatic disease
ďźRecurrent disease
⢠Evidence in support not available
⢠Associated with higher toxicity and poor response
⢠Biologic agents
ďźEGFR inhibitors- (Erlotinib)
97. â˘Paclitaxel and Erlotinib- single agents showing
activity against advanced vulvar cancer in phase II
studies (only case reports are available)
â˘Combination chemotherapy regimens- Cisplatin and
5-FU
99. Toxicities (post surgery)
⢠Lymphoedema (69%*)
⢠Wound infection (20-40%) and hematoma
⢠Seroma
⢠Hemorrhage
⢠DVT
⢠Pulmonary embolism
⢠Osteitis pubis
⢠Femoral nerve injury- loss of sensory perception in anterior aspect of thigh
ď§Chronic cellulitis of inguinal areas
ď§Stenosis of introitus
ď§Femoral hernia
ď§Rectovaginal and rectoperineal fistula
100. Toxicities (post RT or CTRT)
⢠Mucocutaneous reaction in vulva, perineum or inguinal folds
⢠Acute hematologic toxicity- (common after chemotherapy)
⢠Telangiectasias
⢠Atrophy of skin and mucosa of vulva
⢠Dryness of mucosa of vagina and vulva
⢠Narrowing of vaginal introitus
⢠Avascular necrosis of femoral head (very rare)
ďśPsychosexual morbidity
Mons pubis consist of prominent tissue located anteriorly to pubic symphysis
Labia majora are 2 elongated skin folds that course posteriorly from mons pubis and blend into perineal bodyâŚ.skin of majora is pigmented and contain hair follicles and sebaceous glands
Minora- small pair of skin folds located btw majoraâŚskin of minora contain only sebaceous glands and no hair follicles
Clitoris is 2 to 3cm ant to urethral meatus and is supported externally by fusion of labia minora
There are numerous vestibular glands located in vulva
Bartholins gland also k/a greater vestibular gland are 2 small mucous secreting glands located in post aspect of majora
Skenes gland or paraurethral gland open in ant aspect of introitus
Perineal body is 3 to 4cm band os skin that separated vaginal introitus from anus and form post margin of vulva with fusion of labia minora
Inguinofemoral nodes are located in the triangle. There are superficial inguinal nodes that are located along saphenous vein.
3 to 5 deep nodesâŚ.the most superior of which is located under inguinal ligament and is k/a cloquet node.
From these inti external and common iliac nodes
Lymphatic drainage is specific to location of vulvar lesionâŚ..Labial lesions, lesions of fouchette and perineum drain into superficial inguinal nodes and femoral nodes and then penetrate cribriform fascia and reach deep femoral nodes
Lymphatic from clitoris and perineal body enter u/l or b/l into superficial/deep femoral nodes and pelvic nodes
Keratinizing and basaloid squamous carcinoma, old age, vulvar dystrophy, HPV and VIN negative
BSC- othera nogenital ca
Confluent, compact or spray or finger like
Spray-trabecular appearance with small island of poorly diff tumor cellls
Gog trial in 1986
Excision of 2cm margins of grossly normal appearing tissue is recoomended when possible with the goal of obtaining atleast 1cm microscopic margins
For pts with advanced ds preop ctrt is used. After CTRT response of therapy is assessed at primary site and lymph nodes.