Skip to main content
Top

Open Access 03-04-2024 | Vulvar Cancer | Original Article

Significance of definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy for vulvar cancer: a Japanese Gynecologic Oncology Group nationwide survey study

Authors: Noriyuki Okonogi, Keisuke Tsuchida, Ken Ando, Tatsuya Ohno, Hiroyuki Fujiwara, Kosuke Yoshihara, Takuya Aoki, Hirokuni Takano, Munetaka Takekuma, Aikou Okamoto, Shin Nishio

Published in: Japanese Journal of Radiology

Login to get access

Abstract

Objective

This study aimed to show the results of radical radiation therapy (RT) and concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) for vulvar cancer (VC) based on data from a Japanese nationwide survey.

Materials and methods

We collected data from 108 institutions on cases of VC diagnosed between January 2001 and December 2010. Patients with histologically proven squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma with curative intent were selected, and 172 patients with VC were included in this study. The collected data were analyzed for overall survival (OS) using the Kaplan–Meier method. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to examine the prognostic factors for patients with VC.

Results

The median follow-up period was 16.8 (range; 3.2–154.8) months. Fifty-five patients received CCRT, and 117 patients received RT alone. The 2-year OS rates (95% confidence interval [CI]) for stages I, II, III, and IV were 77.9% (55.8–100.0), 71.9% (53.8–89.9), 55.4% (42.5–68.3), and 41.5% (27.3–55.7) respectively. Univariate analyses showed that the FIGO stage (p = 0.001), tumor diameter (p = 0.005), and lymph node (LN) status (p = 0.001) were associated with OS. The concurrent use of chemotherapy resulted in a significantly longer OS in Stage III (p = 0.013). Multivariate analysis showed that the hazard ratios (95% CI) for tumor diameter, positivity for LN metastasis, and RT alone (no concurrent chemotherapy) were 1.502 (1.116–2.021), 1.801 (1.287–2.521), and 1.936 (1.187–3.159), respectively.

Conclusions

Our analysis revealed that CCRT should be recommended, especially for Stage III VC patients. Further studies are warranted to determine who benefits from CCRT, considering primary tumor size and LN status.
The study was registered at the University Hospital Medical Information Network (protocol number: UMIN000017080) on April 8th, 2015.
Literature
2.
go back to reference Bray F, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Zanetti R, et al. Cancer Incidence in Five Continents. Volume XI, International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, France, 2017. (Electronic version). Bray F, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Zanetti R, et al. Cancer Incidence in Five Continents. Volume XI, International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, France, 2017. (Electronic version).
4.
go back to reference Homesley HD, Bundy BN, Sedlis A, Adcock L. Radiation therapy versus pelvic node resection for carcinoma of the vulva with positive groin nodes. Obstet Gynecol. 1986;68:733–40.PubMed Homesley HD, Bundy BN, Sedlis A, Adcock L. Radiation therapy versus pelvic node resection for carcinoma of the vulva with positive groin nodes. Obstet Gynecol. 1986;68:733–40.PubMed
15.
Metadata
Title
Significance of definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy for vulvar cancer: a Japanese Gynecologic Oncology Group nationwide survey study
Authors
Noriyuki Okonogi
Keisuke Tsuchida
Ken Ando
Tatsuya Ohno
Hiroyuki Fujiwara
Kosuke Yoshihara
Takuya Aoki
Hirokuni Takano
Munetaka Takekuma
Aikou Okamoto
Shin Nishio
Publication date
03-04-2024
Publisher
Springer Nature Singapore
Published in
Japanese Journal of Radiology
Print ISSN: 1867-1071
Electronic ISSN: 1867-108X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11604-024-01557-9