Vulvar Melanoma: A Retrospective Analysis and Literature Review

Vulvar Melanoma: A Retrospective Analysis and Literature Review

Objective. This review focuses on current directions in the staging and treatment of melanoma of the vulva. Methods. All women treated for invasive melanoma of the vulva at the University of Virginia Health Sciences Center from 1980 through 2000 were identified through a retrospective review of the...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Gynecologic Oncology Vol. 83; no. 3; pp. 457 - 465
Main Authors: Irvin, William P., Legallo, Robin L., Stoler, Mark H., Rice, Laurel W., Taylor, Peyton T., Andersen, Willie A.
Format: Book Review Journal Article
Language:English
Published: San Diego, CA Elsevier Inc 01-12-2001
Elsevier
Subjects:
Aged
Biological and medical sciences
Combined Modality Therapy
Delivery. Postpartum. Lactation
Disorders
Female
Female genital diseases
Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics
Humans
malignant melanoma
Medical sciences
Melanoma - pathology
Melanoma - therapy
microstaging
Neoplasm Staging
Retrospective Studies
sentinel lymph node
Survival Rate
Tumors
Vulvar Neoplasms - pathology
Vulvar Neoplasms - therapy
sentinel lymph node
microstaging
malignant melanoma
Human
Recurrence
Relapse
Prognosis
Vulva
Review
Case study
Health center
Treatment
University
Follow up study
Primary
Female
Skin
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Summary:Objective. This review focuses on current directions in the staging and treatment of melanoma of the vulva. Methods. All women treated for invasive melanoma of the vulva at the University of Virginia Health Sciences Center from 1980 through 2000 were identified through a retrospective review of the records of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology. Their treatments and outcomes were then analyzed and presented. Results. Over the 20-year study period, 14 cases of melanoma of the vulva were identified. Of the 14 patients treated with curative intent, 6 developed recurrences following the completion of primary therapy, and all are dead from their disease. The mean duration from completion of therapy to recurrence was 7.5 months; the mean survival following recurrence was 17 months. Conclusion. One-centimeter skin margins appear adequate for vulvar melanomas <1 mm thick, and 2-cm margins appear adequate for intermediate-thickness melanomas (1–4 mm). In all cases it is necessary to include at least a 1-cm-deep margin extending through the subcutaneous fat to the muscular fascia below. Elective node dissection seems to offer no additional advantage in superficial lesions <0.76 mm thick, and its role in deeper lesions is still uncertain.
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-2
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
ObjectType-Feature-3
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ObjectType-Review-1
ISSN:0090-8258
1095-6859
DOI:10.1006/gyno.2001.6337