Malignant melanoma of the vulva: An extension of cutaneous melanoma? Journal Article


Authors: Moxley, K. M.; Fader, A. N.; Rose, P. G.; Case, A. S.; Mutch, D. G.; Berry, E.; Schink, J. C.; Kim, C. H.; Chi, D. S.; Moore, K. N.
Article Title: Malignant melanoma of the vulva: An extension of cutaneous melanoma?
Abstract: Objective: To determine the prognostic significance of the 2002 revisions of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) Staging System for cutaneous melanoma in melanoma of the vulva and review the current surgical utilized for treatment of this neoplasm. Methods: Demographic, surgical and outcomes data were obtained from the records of vulvar melanoma patients treated from 1990 to 2006 at five academic medical centers. The 2002 modifications of the AJCC staging system for cutaneous melanoma, Breslow thickness and Clark level, were applied to all subjects. Kaplan-Meier Modeling and Linear Regression analysis were utilized for data analysis. Statistics were performed with SAS v 9.1. Results: Seventy-seven patients were identified with a median age of 62 years. 73% had Stage I/II disease. Surgical radicality did not impact recurrence rates or survival. Breslow thickness was associated with recurrence (p = 0.002) but not survival. Only the 2002 modified AJCC staging criteria were predictive of overall survival (p = 0.006) in patients with malignant melanoma of the vulva. Conclusions: In the largest multi-site series of vulvar melanoma, the AJCC-2002 staging system for cutaneous malignant melanoma appears to be applicable to primary vulvar melanoma. Moreover, surgical radicality was associated with significant morbidity but not with improvement in survival. Utilization of standard operative staging and resection principles in cutaneous melanoma should be used for all vulvar melanoma patients. Moreover, these patients should also be considered for enrollment in cutaneous melanoma clinical trials. © 2011 Elsevier Inc.
Keywords: adult; cancer survival; aged; major clinical study; overall survival; review; cancer recurrence; outcome assessment; melanoma; medical record review; prediction; disease severity; vulva cancer; vulva; ajcc staging; malignant melanoma of the vulva
Journal Title: Gynecologic Oncology
Volume: 122
Issue: 3
ISSN: 0090-8258
Publisher: Elsevier Inc.  
Date Published: 2011-09-01
Start Page: 612
End Page: 617
Language: English
DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2011.04.007
PROVIDER: scopus
PUBMED: 21570710
DOI/URL:
Notes: --- - "Export Date: 3 October 2011" - "CODEN: GYNOA" - "Source: Scopus"
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  1. Dennis S Chi
    707 Chi
  2. Christine Heesun Kim
    13 Kim