High Incidence of Erysipelas After Surgical Treatment for Vulvar Carcinoma: An Observational Study.

OBJECTIVES: Vulvar carcinoma is mainly treated surgically and has an overall good prognosis. Despite the development of minimally invasive surgical procedures in recent years, morbidity remains significant. The aim of the study was to determine the incidence and risk factors of erysipelas after surgical treatment for vulvar carcinoma. METHODS: This retrospective observational study was performed within the Comprehensive Cancer Centre South. The study included patients (N = 116) who underwent surgery for primary vulvar carcinoma between 2005 and 2012. Patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage IA and IV were excluded. Clinical and histopathological data were analyzed using logistic regression, χ(2) tests, Fisher exact tests, independent t tests, and nonparametric tests. Primary outcome was the incidence of postoperative erysipelas and determination of risk factors for erysipelas. Secondary outcome included other comorbidities. RESULTS: A total of 23 patients (20%) with vulvar carcinoma had 1 or more episodes of erysipelas. The risk of developing erysipelas was significantly higher in patients who underwent lymph node dissection than in those who underwent sentinel node biopsy (36% [n = 12] and 14% [n = 11], respectively, P = 0.008) and in patients with lymphedema than in those without (30% [n = 7] and 12% [n = 11], respectively, P = 0.048). Patients with diabetes tended to have a higher incidence of erysipelas than those without (28% vs 18%, P = 0.27). CONCLUSIONS: Erysipelas occurs frequently in patients who undergo surgical treatment for vulvar carcinoma. The risk of erysipelas is 3 times higher in patients who undergo lymph node dissection and in those with lymphedema than in those without, and it tends to be high in patients with diabetes.

Surgical margins in squamous cell carcinoma, different for the vulva?

INTRODUCTION: The recommended pathological resection margin (8 mm) for vulvar squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is broader than for SCC located elsewhere, and does not depend on tumor grade or lesion size. Our aim is to evaluate the resection margin in vulvar SCC in relation to local recurrence, and to determine the impact of other prognostic factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data of all surgically treated patients at the Gynecological Oncology Center South with vulvar SCC, FIGO IB-IIIC, between 2005 and 2015 were analysed retrospectively. The relation between the pathological resection margin and other clinicopathological factors with the risk of local recurrence was analysed. RESULTS: In this cohort of 167 patients, the tumor was radically removed in 87% of the patients. Yet, in 57% the pathological resection margin was <8 mm. Including re-excisions, the median closest margin was 7.0 mm. There was no significant difference in the risk of local recurrence for a resection margin <8 mm or ≥8 mm (25.0% (n = 20) and 22.2% (n = 16)), nor in the median resection margin of patients with or without local recurrence (6.5 mm and 7.0 mm). Lichen sclerosus was the only significant risk factor for local recurrence. CONCLUSION: A pathological resection margin <8 mm was not related to an increased risk of local recurrence. The most important predictor of local recurrence was the presence of lichen sclerosus. A resection margin <8 mm in vulvar SCC can therefore be accepted, especially in tumors located close to clitoris, urethra or anus.